Characterization of the 3'-terminal region of the large molecular weight RNA subunits from normal and transformation-defective Rous sarcoma virus

The pathophysiology of murine retrovirus-induced leukemias

Murine leukemia viruses (MuLVs) are retroviruses which induce a broad spectrum of hematopoietic malignancies. In contrast to the acutely transforming retroviruses, MuLVs do not contain transduced cellular genes, or oncogenes. Nonetheless, MuLVs can cause leukemias quickly (4 to 6 weeks) and efficiently (up to 100% incidence) in susceptible strains of mice. The molecular basis of MuLV-induced leukemia is not clear. However, the contribution of individual viral genes to leukemogenesis can be assayed by creating novel viruses in vitro using recombinant DNA techniques. These genetically engineered viruses are tested in vivo for their ability to cause leukemia. Leukemogenic MuLVs possess genetic sequences which are not found in nonleukemogenic viruses. These sequences control the histologic type, incidence, and latency of disease induced by individual MuL Vs.

Genomic RNA of mengovirus. VI. Translation of its two cistrons in lysates of interferon-treated cells

The addition of low levels (40 ng/ml) of the synthetic double-stranded polyribonucleotide poly I:C to lysates of interferon-treated L-cells resulted in a strong inhibition (70 to 75%) of the in vitro translation of mengovirus RNA. Under these conditions, the rates of incorporation of [35S]methionine or formyl-[35S]methionine were depressed to a comparable extent. The sequences of mengovirus RNA recognized by ribosomes of interferon-treated cells at initiation of translation were compared with those present in initiation complexes formed by ribosomes of untreated controls. Fingerprint analysis revealed that the same sequences of mengovirus RNA were protected against nuclease attack by the 80S and the 40S initiation complexes formed in vitro in lysates of control or interferon-treated L-cells. Mengovirus RNA-coded proteins were labeled at their N-terminal end with formyl-[35S]methionine and digested to completion with trypsin. The resulting fragments were separated by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. Two different formyl-[35S]methionine-labeled N termini were resolved. Further analyses supported the notion that the two radioactive peaks originated in the initiation of translation at two different sites. This pattern did not change when mengovirus RNA was translated in lysates of interferon-treated cells.

Avian myeloblastosis virus RNA is terminally redundant: implications for the mechanism of retrovirus replication

We have determined the terminal heteropolymeric sequences of AMV RNA by the following procedures: first, RNA sequence determination on the 5' terminal and the poly(A)-linked 3' terminal T1 oligonucleotides, and second, analysis by the Maxam and Gilbert (1977) method of AMV strong stop DNA and of DNA complementary to the poly(A)-linked T1 oligonucleotide, synthesized with reverse transcriptase and (pdT)13 as primer. The structure deduced for the 5' terminal region is (5')7mGpppGmCCAUUCUACCUCUCACCACAUUGGUGUGCACCUGGGUUGAUGGCCGGACCGUCGAUUCCCUGACGACUACGAGCACCUGCAUGAAGCAGAAGGCUUCAU... Two distinct 3' terminal sequences were deduced: GCCAUUCUACCUCUCAAA...AOH and GCCAUUCUACCUCUCACCAAA...AOH. The two termini, differing by a C-C-A sequence, may reflect genetic heterogeneity of the AMV stock or, more probably, may be generated at or after RNA transcription. These results demonstrate a terminal redundancy of the hetero polymeric sequence of 16 and 19 nucleotides, respectively. The terminal redundancy allows for mechanisms which involve transfer of the DNA segment synthesized on the 5' terminal redundant sequence to the 3' terminal redundant sequence.