Adenine-rich polymer associated with rabbit reticulocyte messenger RNA

The genome of RNA tumor viruses contains polyadenylic acid sequences

The 70S genome of two RNA tumor viruses, murine sarcoma virus and avian myeloblastosis virus, binds to Millipore filters in buffer with high salt concentration and to glass fiber filters containing poly(U). These observations suggest that 70S RNA contains adenylic acid-rich sequences. When digested by pancreatic RNase, 70S RNA of murine sarcoma virus yielded poly(A) sequences that contain 91% adenylic acid. These poly(A) sequences sedimented as a relatively homogenous peak in sucrose gradients with a sedimentation coefficient of 4-5 S, but had a mobility during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that corresponds to molecules that sediment at 6-7 S. If we estimate a molecular weight for each sequence of 30,000-60,000 (100-200 nucleotides) and a molecular weight for viral 70S RNA of 3-12 million, each viral genome could contain 1-8 poly(A) sequences. Possible functions of poly(A) in the infecting viral RNA may include a role in the initiation of viral DNA or RNA synthesis, in protein maturation, or in the assembly of the viral genome.

Detection of polyadenylic acid sequences in viral and eukaryotic RNA(polu(U)-cellulose columns-poly(U) filters-fiberglass-HeLa cells-bacteriophage T4)

A rapid and specific technique to detect polyriboadenylic acid sequences in RNA is described. The method depends upon the ability of RNAs that contain poly(A) sequences to associate specifically with poly(U) that has been immobilized on fiberglass filters by ultraviolet irradiation. A high proportion of the transcripts synthesized in vivo and in vitro from the vaccinia virus genome contain poly(A) sequences and bind to the poly(U) filters. Similarly, DNA-like RNA from the nucleus and from the cytoplasmic polyribosomes of HeLa cells is rich in species that bind to poly(U) filters. Poly(U) immobilized on cellulose powder is useful to make columns with a high capacity for the binding and purification of poly(A)-containing RNAs.

In vitro synthesis of DNA complementary to purified rabbit globin mRNA (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase-reticulocyte-hemoglobin-density gradient centrifugation-oligo(dT) primer)

Several properties of the viral RNA-dependent DNA polymerases and of rabbit globin mRNA make it possible to consider synthesis of the globin gene in vitro. These enzymes copy an RNA template using a short sequence of complementary nucleotides as a primer. Furthermore, globin mRNA has a 3'-terminal sequence of adenylic acid residues that make it particularly suitable as a template, since oligo(dT) can be annealed to a specific site on the mRNA. This small primer could phase the DNA polymerase, possibly ensuring that replication is initiated from that end of the globin message. We have used this approach and find that purified mRNA is an efficient template for the polymerase enzyme. The reaction requires the RNA template and the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, and it is markedly stimulated by the addition of oligo(dT). Consistent with the expectation that the oligo(dT) uniquely phases the polymerase at an adenine-rich region in the globin message, oligo(dG), oligo(dC), and oligo(dA) fail to serve as primers. The product has a density intermediate between that of DNA and RNA, and shifts to a lighter DNA density after treatment with base. Further, it is specifically complementary to globin mRNA and sediments slightly faster in an alkaline sucrose gradient than a DNA standard that has a molecular weight of 129,000. The data suggest that a major portion of the DNA product is a sequence of at least 500 bases, about 50 more than would be necessary to encode rabbit globin. The potential usefulness of this interesting product is discussed.

Addition of polyadenylate sequences to virus-specific RNA during adenovirus replication

Adenovirus-specific nuclear and polysomal RNA, both early and late in the infectious cycle, contain a covalently linked region of polyadenylic acid 150-250 nucleotides long. A large proportion of the adenovirus-specific messenger RNA contains poly(A). As revealed by hybridization experiments, the poly(A) is not transcribed from adenovirus DNA. Furthermore, an adenosine analogue, cordycepin, blocks the synthesis of poly(A) and also inhibits the accumulation of adenovirus messenger RNA on polysomes. Addition of poly(A) to viral RNA may involve a host-controlled mechanism that regulates the processing and transport of messenger RNA.

Polyadenylic acid sequences: role in conversion of nuclear RNA into messenger RNA

Polyadenylic acid [poly(A)] segments containing 150 to 250 nucleotides appear to be covalently linked to heterogeneous nuclear RNA (HnRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) in eucaryotic cells. The poly(A) is synthesized in the nucleus, and is probably linked initially to HnRNA that is ultimately transported as mRNA to the cytoplasm. Studies with inhibitors of RNA or poly(A) synthesis indicate that synthesis of poly(A) segments is independent of transcription. The poly(A) marker may prove useful to elucidate mRNA modification and transport in eucaryotic cells.s

An adenylic acid-rich sequence in messenger RNA of HeLa cells and its possible relationship to reiterated sites in DNA

Messenger RNA from HeLa cells contains, as part of the polynucleotide chain, RNase-resistant sequences that are labeled by adenosine but not by uridine. Heterogeneous nuclear RNA also contains adenylate-rich RNase-resistant regions, but in lower proportion than messenger RNA. Hybridization to DNA of (32)P-labeled messenger RNA reveals that some of the adenylate-rich region is included in the rapidly-hybridizing fraction.

A polynucleotide segment rich in adenylic acid in the rapidly-labeled polyribosomal RNA component of mouse sarcoma 180 ascites cells

The rapidly-labeled polyribosomal RNA component from mouse sarcoma 180 cells is retained on nitrocellulose (Millipore) membrane-filters at high ionic strength. This property is due to the presence of a polynucleotide sequence rich in adenylic acid that resists both T(1) and pancreatic RNase digestion. The resistant material shows sedimentation characteristics close to those of transfer RNA. The RNA molecules that contain this material can be separated from the rest of the polysomal RNA by differential phenol extraction with neutral and alkaline Tris buffers. Synthetic poly(A) exhibits the same behavior as the rapidly-labeled polysomal RNA with respect to Millipore binding and phenol fractionation. The characteristics of the rapidly-labeled polysomal RNA component permit its isolation free of ribosomal RNA.

Polyadenylic acid sequences in the heterogeneous nuclear RNA and rapidly-labeled polyribosomal RNA of HeLa cells: possible evidence for a precursor relationship

Polyadenylate sequences have been found covalently linked in heterogeneous DNA-like nuclear RNA of HeLa cells. This poly(A) material seems homogeneous in size and accounts for about 0.5% of such RNA. Similar poly(A) sequences were found in rapidly-labeled polyribosomal RNA, thought to be messenger RNA. A possible model for mRNA synthesis from large heterogeneous nuclear RNA precursor molecules is discussed.