Some physicochemical properties of pike fry rhabdovirus RNA

Pike fry rhabdovirus (pfr) rna has been characterized as a single-stranded non-segmented molecule of about 4 X 10(6) daltons. In sucrose gradients in 0-1 M-NaC1 it had a sedimentation coefficient of 40 to 45S, somewhat lower than that Of Semliki Forest virus RNA. The sedimentation velocity of the RNA is strongly influenced by the salt concentration and divalent cations. It shows a buoyant density of 1-65 g/ml in caesium sulphate. The base composition of the RNA is 21-6% G, 25-I% A, 22-4% C and 30-9% U. It is thus comparable to the RNAs of other rhabdoviruses.