Nucleic Acids Research, 1980, Vol. 8, No. 11 2365-2376
© 1980
Articles |
Transcription of killer virion double-stranded RNA in vitro
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Rutgers Medical School Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
Received May 7, 1980. Intracellular virions of stationary phase ethanol-grown cells of a killer strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain encapsulated M (1.1 x 106 dalton) and L (3.2 x 106 dalton) double-stranded RNA plasmids. These virions also contain RNA polymerase activity which catalyzes the synthesis of full-length, single-stranded, asymmetric transcripts (denoted m and 1) of the virion double-stranded RNAs. Product m is made by M-containing particles and shows complete sequence homology to M but not to L. Product 1 is made by L-containing particles and shows complete homology only to L. The products show no self-homology, indicating asymmetric transcription. Therefore, the polymerase appears to function in vitro as a double-stranded RNA transcriptase. The lack of sequence homology between M and L is confirmed.