A high-resolution oligonucleotide map generated by restriction of poliovirus type I genomic RNA by ribonuclease III

Applications of Oligonucleotide Fingerprinting to the Identification of Viruses

This chapter focuses on applications of oligonucleotide fingerprinting to the identification of viruses. Fingerprinting is a technique by which oligonucleotides, produced by cleavage of RNA molecules with specific ribonucleases, are separated in two dimensions. It is a definitive method of identifying RNA viruses according to their genotypes. It is not subject to the problems of antigenic drift or antigenic convergence that complicate serological identification. Furthermore, it provides a semiquantitative means of following the evolution of viral genomes in nature. Because all regions of the genome are represented by the large diagnostic oligonucleotides, a survey of the total genomic changes can be monitored. Fingerprinting has two limitations as a diagnostic tool. First, although highly definitive, fingerprinting is not as rapid or inexpensive as serological techniques and cannot be as easily scaled up for routine identification of a large number of samples. Second, the evolutionary range of fingerprinting is short and relationships may not be evident for isolates of rapidly evolving viruses obtained over long intervals. However, these limitations are not large, compared to the full benefits offered to the virologist by the fingerprinting method.

Molecular cloning of the genome of poliovirus type 1

Poliovirus cDNA.RNA hybrids were prepared from the Mahoney strain of poliovirus type 1 by using reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA nucleotidyltransferase) and cloned in the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322. Bacteria colonies carrying recombinant plasmids were selected by in situ hybridization with virus-specific RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotides. Analysis of the cDNA inserts by restriction mapping and electron microscopy showed that the cloned cDNAs, the longest of which was 3.2 kilobase pairs, originated from various parts of the viral RNA, covering at least 99% of the genome length. Due to overlapping of the clones, the restriction map of the poliovirus genome could be reconstructed. The complete 5' end of the genome was successfully cloned in at least one of the recombinant plasmids, pPV1-366.