Cell-free translation of highly purified adenovirus messenger RNA

Several polypeptides contained in the coat and the core of adenovirus type 2 particles have been identified as virus gene products. They are synthesized in vitro by a cell-free protein-making system programmed by adenovirus type 2 messenger RNA that has been hybridized with and eluted from virus DNA. Fractionation by size yields subpopulations of viral messenger RNA that differ in their coding specificities. The procedures outlined in this study may be used to establish a genetic map of adenovirus type 2.