[RNA synthesis in cells chronically infected with rabies virus]

RNAs of predominantly subgenome size were synthesized in BHK-21 and HEp-2 cells chronically infected with rabies virus in the presence of actinomycin D. An analysis of glyoxale-denaturated intracellular viral RNAs in agarose gel showed the subgenome size of RNA not to be due to its conformation alterations. Hybridization of intracellular RNAs with 125I-RNA or k3H-kDNA of rabies virus demonstrated marked reduction in both transcription and replication of viral genome in chronic infection as compared with acute infection.