Characterization of two simian virus 40-specific RNA molecules from infected BS-C-1 cells

Two discrete simian virus 40 (SV40) RNA species sedimenting at 19 and 16S, respectively, that are present in infected BS-C-1 cells were characterized with respect to the base composition and the ribonuclease T1 fingerprints. The base composition of the 19S SV40 RNA was found to be cytidylic acid (C), 23.0; adenylic acid (A), 28.3; guanylic acid (G), 23.9; and uridylic acid (U), 24.8; that of the 16S SV40 RNA was C, 19.3; A, 34.0; G, 22.0; and U, 24.7 mol%. Analysis of the ribonuclease T1 fingerprints indicated a difference in the base sequence of the 19 and 16S SV40 RNA. The presence of long sequences of adenylic acid residues (poly A) in these viral RNAs was confirmed.