DNA polymerase activity associated with RNA tumor viruses

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• C-type RNA viruses are known to replicate through a DNA intermediate.
• The enzymatic machinery for DNA synthesis within these viruses is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the DNA synthesizing capabilities of C-type RNA viruses.
• To determine the effect of ether treatment on viral DNA synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Incubation of C-type RNA viruses (from mouse, cat, hamster, viper) with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates.
• Treatment of intact virus with ether.
• Analysis of newly synthesized DNA by sedimentation.

Main Results:

• C-type RNA viruses catalyzed DNA synthesis from deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates.
• Ether treatment significantly enhanced both the rate and extent of DNA synthesis.
• Newly synthesized DNA associated with virions when using intact virus, but not with ether-treated virus.
• Extracted DNA exhibited slow sedimentation (2-4 S) in both conditions.

Conclusions:

• C-type RNA viruses possess the ability to synthesize DNA.
• Ether treatment modifies viral structure, enhancing DNA synthesis and affecting DNA-virion association.
• The synthesized DNA is likely small or fragmented.