Genome of Sindbis virus

(32)P-labeled ribonucleic acid (RNA) from purified Sindbis virus was examined for the presence of hidden breaks. Viral RNA was treated with acid at pH 2.9 or with formaldehyde and was analyzed on sucrose gradients or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sedimentation pattern and mobility on polyacrylamide gels of the 42S RNA was unaffected by heating and quick cooling and was not altered by denaturing agents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and urea. No evidence that Sindbis RNA is a polyaggregate of fragments was obtained. It is concluded that the genome consists of a continuous length of single-stranded polynucleotide.

Biological, physical, and chemical properties of Eastern equine encephalitis virus. I. Purification and physical properties

A new purification procedure was adopted for Eastern equine encephalitis virus which does not subject the virus to pelleting at any stage. Three- to 4-liter volumes were passed through a diethylaminoethyl cellulose column. The virus-containing fractions were banded on a sucrose cushion and finally concentrated in an isopycnic band in a linear sucrose gradient. This method reduced the volume 1,000-fold with a concomitant increase in viral titer, i.e., better than 90% recovery. Numerous criteria have been used to establish that this viral preparation was essentially free from cellular debris and nonviral material. Physical studies on this purified viral product were initiated. The sedimentation coefficient as determined by band sedimentation was 240S, the buoyant density in sucrose was 1.18 g/cc, and the diameter of the virus was 54 nm. From the diameter and the buoyant density it was possible to calculate the molecular weight of a spherical particle. In this case, the calculated molecular weight for Eastern equine encephalitis virus was 58 x 10(6) daltons.