Resolution and genome assignment of mRNA transcripts synthesized in vitro by wound tumor virus

The 12 mRNA transcripts synthesized in vitro by purified wound tumor virus particles were resolved into 11 discrete species by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing 7 M urea. Transcripts were isolated and hybridized independently to a mixture of the 12 wound tumor virus double-stranded genome segments. Subsequent analysis of the hybrids revealed that each transcript hybridized selectively to one genome segment. In this manner, the assignment of 10 transcripts to their corresponding genome segments was established. The assignment of the remaining transcripts, which hybridized to an unresolved mixture of genome segments 4 and 5, was determined by analyzing the transcription products synthesized by an exvectorial isolate of WTV that lacks genome segment 5.