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Intracellular virus-specific structures and RNAs in oncornavirus-producing human cells
Journal of Virology
|February 1, 1974
Summary
Researchers identified virus-specific structures, including A particles and nucleocapsid strands, within cells producing oncornavirus-like particles. These structures contain specific RNA species and exhibit polymerase activity, shedding light on oncornavirus RNA maturation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Oncornavirus-like particles are produced by certain cell lines.
- Virus-specific intracellular structures are implicated in viral replication and assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize virus-specific structures from the cytoplasm of cells producing oncornavirus-like particles.
- To investigate the RNA content and enzymatic activity of these intracellular structures.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of intracellular structures using isopycnic and velocity sucrose gradient centrifugation.
- Analysis of RNA species (e.g., 60S, 45S, 35S, 20S) within purified structures.
- Hybridization studies with DNA synthesized on extracellular virions.
- Assay of endogenous polymerase activity.
Main Results:
- Two types of structures, A particles (70-80 nm) and aggregated nucleocapsid strands (3-6 nm), were isolated.
- Both structures contained 60S, 45S, and 35S RNA; 150S structures also had 20S RNA.
- Intracellular structures showed polymerase activity, with DNA product associated with 60S RNA. Extracellular virions contained 70S RNA, unlike intracellular structures.
Conclusions:
- Intracellular virus-specific structures possess distinct RNA profiles and enzymatic activities.
- Findings suggest a process of extracellular maturation for oncornavirus RNA, differing from intracellular RNA.
- The study provides insights into the intracellular origins and maturation pathway of oncornavirus RNA.