Stabilization of adenovirus nuclear RNA by intercalating drugs

The effect of the intercalating drugs proflavine, ethidium bromide and daunomycin on the rate of degradation of newly synthesized adenovirus RNA was examined. As shown previously for heterogeneous nuclear RNA (HnRNA) and 45 S precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA), proflavine immediately stabilizes newly synthesized adenovirus RNA, while ethidium bromide stabilizes the RNA after a 30--60 min lag period. In contrast to its effect on HnRNA and pre-rRNA, daunomycin also stabilizes newly synthesized adenovirus RNA. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the processing of late adenovirus nuclear RNA involves cleavage of base-paired regions by specific cellular nucleases.