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Single-stranded regions on unintegrated avian retrovirus DNA
Journal of Virology
|October 1, 1982
Summary
Over 99.5% of linear Rous sarcoma virus DNA in infected cells showed single-stranded regions, primarily on the plus strand. These findings reveal structural complexities in viral DNA replication.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is a retrovirus known to cause tumors in birds.
- Understanding the structure of viral DNA intermediates is crucial for deciphering viral replication cycles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the structural features of unintegrated linear viral DNA in RSV-infected cells.
- To identify the presence and nature of single-stranded DNA regions within linear viral DNA species.
Main Methods:
- Employing chromatography on benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE-cellulose to separate and analyze viral DNA species.
- Analyzing DNA species isolated from quail embryo cells infected with Rous sarcoma virus at 16 hours post-infection.
Main Results:
- Greater than 99.5% of detected linear viral DNA species exhibited single-stranded regions.
- These single-stranded regions were predominantly on the plus DNA strand and distributed genome-wide.
- The minus strand was genome-sized with two copies of the large terminal redundancy (LTR), while plus strands were subgenomic.
Conclusions:
- Linear viral DNA intermediates in RSV infection possess significant single-stranded regions, particularly on the plus strand.
- The structural asymmetry suggests specific mechanisms governing viral DNA synthesis and integration.