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Efficient packaging of readthrough RNA in ALV: implications for oncogene transduction
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 15, 1987
Summary
Readthrough viral RNAs in avian leukosis virus infections can act as intermediates for proto-oncogene transduction. These RNAs are efficiently polyadenylated, packaged, and infectious, supporting their role in viral evolution.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Readthrough viral transcripts are abundant during avian leukosis virus (ALV) infection.
- These transcripts are hypothesized to mediate proto-oncogene transduction by retroviruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional properties of readthrough RNAs as potential transduction intermediates.
- To analyze the polyadenylation, packaging, and infectivity of readthrough RNAs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ALV with a mutated AAUAAA polyadenylation signal.
- Quantification and characterization of viral RNA within virions.
- Assessment of virus particle infectivity.
Main Results:
- Readthrough RNAs were polyadenylated and packaged with efficiency comparable to normal viral RNA.
- Virions contained large RNAs (approx. 11.2 kb), significantly larger than wild-type ALV genomes.
- Virus particles harboring both readthrough and normal genomes demonstrated infectivity.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence that readthrough RNAs possess the necessary characteristics to function as transduction intermediates.
- These findings support the proposed mechanism for proto-oncogene transduction by retroviruses.
- The presence of infectious particles with both genome types highlights the potential for genetic recombination and evolution.