Structure of Rauscher mouse leukaemia virus RNA

Efficient production of mammalian RNA tumor viruses in serum-free culture medium allows rapid RNA subunit purification

A wide variety of infected mammalian cell cultures were observed to produce high levels of RNA tumor virus particles in the absence of serum for at least 12 h. Virus production was measured by yields of 50-70 S virus RNAs isolated directly from serum-free culture media by chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose. Yields of RNAs from viruses produced in serum-free medium were comparable to yields obtained from purified viruses produced in serum-containing medium. Subunits of viral RNAs were thermally dissociated and separated by a new sedimentation system using sucrose gradients with resolving power (in the relevant size range) equivalent to that obtained with electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. RNA subunits isolated directly from serum-free medium appeared to be intact as judged by poly(A) content and resedimentation. The overall approach developed here represents dramatic savings in time and effort over previous ways of producing purified RNA subunits from tumor viruses.

The 30S Moloney sarcoma virus RNA contains leukemia virus nucleotide sequences

The 50S-70S RNA of a Moloney sarcoma-leukemia virus [Mo-MSV(MLV)] complex produced by a particular mouse cell line was shown by gel electrophoresis to contain a major (97%) 30S sarcoma-specific subunit species and a minor (3%) 38S leukemia virus-specific subunit. On the basis of its sedimentation coefficient and known complexity, the 30S Mo-MSV RNA was estimated to be a unique RNA molecule of about 6000 nucleotides. Hybridization experiments using viral RNA and DNA complementary to viral RNA (cDNA) made by viral DNA polymerase indicated that the 30S Mo-MSV RNA shared 70% of its sequences with Mo-MLV, 30% with another MLV derived from Mo-MLV, and 30% with Kirsten sarcoma-xenotropic leukemia virus. The 30S Mo-MSV RNA sequences shared with these viruses were not additive. The Tm of a Mo-MSV RNA-MLV cDNA hybrid was 83 degrees C, indicating that large contiguous nucleotide sequences were shared between the two nucleic acids. Mo-MSV RNA and Mo-MLV RNA shared possibly seven of 20-30 RNAase T1-resistant oligonucleotides, while Mo-MSV RNA contained three, and Mo-MLV RNA contained at least five specific oligonucleotides. We conclude that the 30S Mo-MSV RNA molecule consists of approximately 70% (about 4200 nucleotides) Mo-MLV-specific sequences and of 30% (1800 nucleotides) Mo-MSV-specific sequences covalently linked. Our results favor the hypothesis that 30S Mo-MSV RNA was generated by recombination between Mo-MLV and other genetic elements. We discuss whether all or only the MSV-specific sequences of the 30S Mo-MSV RNA function as sarcoma genes. Mo-MLV cDNA was hybridized about 45% by unfractionated Mo-MSV (MLV) RNA at RNA/DNA ratios of up to 10, about 50% by electrophoretically purified 30S Mo-MSV RNA at RNA/DNA ratios up to 500, but close to 100% by unfractionated Mo-MSV(MLV) RNA at RNA/DNA ratios over 900. This indicated that unfractionated RNA of our Mo-MSV(MLV) contained a complete complement of Mo-MLV, albeit at a low ratio.

The cell-free translation of Rauscher leukemia virus RNA into high molecular weight polypeptides

Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) 65-S RNA, 35-S mengovirus RNA and reticulocyte A-rich RNA each stimulated cell-free protein synthesis in a JLS-V5 cell derived S-30 system. rRNA, however, was not stimulatory in this system. Of the stimulated protein products only those synthesized in response to added RLV RNA were immune-precipitable with anti-RLV rabbit serum. Furthermore, cell-free incubations with pactamycin at a concentration which specifically inhibits initiation and not elongation prevented the stimulation of amino acid incorporation in response to added RLV RNA. Analysis of the polypeptides synthesized by the cell-free system in response to reticulocyte A-rich RNA, showed them to be globin-like and, therefore, also mRNA specific. The RLV RNA-directed product included at least two classes of polypeptides (mol. wts of 140 000-185 000 and 50 000-75 000) both of which were larger than the group specific polypeptides of mature virions. None of the internal structural polypeptides of mature virions were synthesized in response to RLV RNA. The large molecular weight, viral-specific polypeptides are candidate precursor polyproteins which may represent the translational products of a polycistronic mRNA with a single initiation site.

RNA subunit structure of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus 60-70S RNA has a molecular weight of 8 times 10-6 when analyzed on polyacrylamide gels. Dissociation of 60-70S RNA of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus and murine leukemia virus by heat or formamide (40%) resulted in conversion to identical subunit structures of 2.8 times 10-6 daltons; treatment with lower amounts of formamide revealed a partial dissociation of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus 60-70S RNA released three low-molecular-weight RNA species of 10-5, 3,5 times 10-4, and 2.5 times 10-4.

Ribonucleic acid components of murine sarcoma and leukemia viruses

Defective Kirsten murine sarcoma virus was present as leukemia virus pseudotype [Ki-MSV(MLV)] in a 10- to 100-fold excess over its helper, Kirsten murine leukemia virus (Ki-MLV), when the two viruses were propagated in an NRK rat cell line. The s(omega,20) of the fastsedimenting RNA complex of Ki-MLV and of Ki-MSV-(MLV) was 62 S and 55 S, respectively. Gel electrophoresis in buffered aqueous or formamide solution of the dissociated 62S RNA complex of Ki-MLV showed a single major peak of molecular weight about 2.5 x 10(6). Dissociated 55S RNA of Ki-MSV(MLV) was resolved into a major component with a higher electrophoretic mobility than that of Ki-MLV RNA and molecular weight about 2.3 x 10(6). Occasionally, a minor component with the same electrophoretic mobility as Ki-MLV RNA was observed in Ki-MSV(MLV) RNA; it is thought to be the RNA of Ki-MLV present as helper virus in our stocks of Ki-MSV(MLV). The RNA of an endogenous rat C-type RNA virus was electrophoretically different from both Ki-MLV RNA and Ki-MSV(MLV) RNAs. Oligonucleotide fingerprinting of the RNAs digested with RNase T1 indicated that the RNAs of Ki-MSV(MLV) and Ki-MLV are different. However, the extent of the difference between the two RNAs could not be estimated by this method. The heat-dissociated 50-70S RNAs of two other defective murine sarcoma-leukemia viruses; Harvey-MSV(MLV) and Moloney-MSV(MLV) and of defective spleen-focus-forming Friend virus were resolved electrophoretically into two components. The larger components had the same electrophoretic mobility as the RNA of Ki-MLV or Moloney MLV. The smaller were not present in leukemia virus. It is suggested that the small RNA components of the two murine viruses and of Friend virus represent specific genetic information of these replication-defective transforming viruses. Possible relationships between the RNAs of murine leukemia viruses and replication-defective murine sarcoma and Friend viruses are discussed.

Structural rearrangement and subunit composition of RNA from released Soehner-Dmochowski murine sarcoma virions

Two types of genomic, high-molecular-weight RNA species were found in Soehner-Dmochowski murine sarcoma virions released from virus-induced rat tumor cells grown in tissue culture. The type of RNA species observed depended on the length of exposure of the tumor cells to radioactive precursor. Early RNA of virions labeled up to 4 h with radioactive uridine had a sedimentation coefficient of 50S, and late RNA of virions labeled for 24 h had a sedimentation coefficient of 58S. Thermal transitions of early and late RNA indicated a difference in the configuration or structure of these two types of RNA. The late RNA may represent either a different configurational state of the early RNA or an aggregate molecule of two early RNA components joined together. Heat dissociation revealed that the major subunit of both RNA types was a 28S species, which was not susceptible to degradation by the addition of micrococcal nuclease to virions. A transitional, intermediate RNA species with a sedimentation coefficient of 37 to 40S was detected when early RNA was dissociated by dimethyl sulfoxide or heat at temperatures suboptimal for complete conversion. No free RNA subunit components were detected in virions harvested at intervals as short as 30 s or 5 min. A model for the assembly of genomic RNA from 28S RNA subunits is proposed.

Physiocochemical studies on L-cell virions

The L-cell virion (LCV) has been purified from supernatant fluids of mouse L cells grown in suspension culture. The virion is similar to other RNA tumor viruses by several criteria: (i) the density of the virion is 1.16 g/cm(3); (ii) the virion appears as a rounded membranous particle with an outer diameter of 146.7 +/- 11.8 nm, and contains knobs (7-nm diameter) over its surface; (iii) 15 polypeptides (ranging in molecular weight from 7,000 to 110,000) are detectable after electrophoresis of virion protein in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels; (iv) three species of RNA can be isolated-high molecular weight (80 to 88s) (50%), 7s (35%) and 4s (15%); (v) heat denaturation of the high-molecular-weight RNA yields a heterogeneous population of molecules (20 to 35s) as well as a 7s and 4s species. Despite the general similarity to infectious RNA tumor viruses, LCV is apparently defective as evidenced by the fact that it does not induce tumors in animals or transform normal mouse cells in vitro (Kindig and Kirsten [17]). The defective nature of the LCV might be related to the fact that assays for DNA polymerase in the virion showed only a negligible activity when compared to Rous sarcoma virus.

Purification of large amounts of murine ribonucleic acid tumor viruses produced in roller bottle cultures

Murine ribonucleic acid tumor viruses and C-type virus particles are produced in relatively large quantities in roller bottle cultures. The viruses present in large volumes of culture fluids can be purified by a simple two-step procedure involving polyethylene glycol precipitation and equilibrium centrifugation in sucrose density gradients.

Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase of Rous sarcoma virus: reaction conditions and analysis of the reaction product nucleic acids

Reaction conditions for Rous sarcoma virus ribonucleic acid (RNA)-instructed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase activity are described whereby the viral RNA is relatively protected from endogenous or added nuclease activity. Three analyses of reaction product nucleic acids ((3)H-RNA, (32)P-DNA) were compared, namely, gel electrophoresis, Cs(2)SO(4) gradient centrifugation, and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. It was found that hydroxyapatite analysis could be misleading unless the state of the template RNA was monitored concomitantly with the DNA analysis. Gel electrophoresis and Cs(2)SO(4) gradient centrifugation gave comparable results. It was concluded that analyses of the product of reverse transcriptase reactions should not only refer to the template RNA and product DNA species, but also be performed with virus or viral RNA which do not have or obtain nicks in the 60S RNA. Otherwise, interpretation of the results would have the ambiguity of potential artifacts caused by those degraded RNA molecules.

Physical and biochemical properties of progressive pneumonia virus

The physical and biochemical characteristics of progressive pneumonia virus were found to be remarkably similar to those of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) tumor viruses. Significant findings included the presence of a 60 to 70S RNA genome, RNA-dependent deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity, and common morphological properties. This information correlates with previously reported biological observations and supports the provisional inclusion of enveloped RNA-containing "slow viruses" within the RNA tumor virus group.

Heterogeneity of murine leukemia virus in vitro DNA; detection of viral DNA in mammalian cells

Kinetic analysis of the reassociation of DNA synthesized in vitro by a murine leukemia virus DNA polymerase revealed two classes of double-stranded product representative of 25 and 100 percent of viral genetic information. The DNA product representing the smaller portion of the viral genome comprised 85 percent of the double-stranded DNA generated in vitro and was extensively duplicated in the genomes of both normal cells and cells containing RNA tumor virus.

Characterization of ribonucleic acid from visna virus

A single-stranded ribonucleic acid(s) has been isolated from purified virions of visna virus. It consists of two major components, namely 63S and "4S," under the conditions employed for ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction. The 63S component can be converted to subunits by heat and dimethylsulfoxide treatments. Analyses by base composition indicate that the "4S" RNA isolated from visna virus is not a random breakdown product of the 63S component as a result of extraction, nor is it randomly derived from cellular RNA.

Differences between the ribonucleic acids of transforming and nontransforming avian tumor viruses

The 60-70S RNAs of several transforming and nontransforming avian tumor viruses have different electrophoretic mobilities. The RNA of transforming viruses contains two electrophoretically separable subunit classes: a and b. The relative concentrations of these subunits vary with the virus strain. Avian leukosis viruses and nontransforming derivatives of a sarcoma virus lack subunits of class a. It is suggested that the presence of the class a subunit is related to the transforming ability for fibroblasts of the virus.

Density gradient centrifugation studies on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and on viral ribonucleic acid

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus, Traub strain, was purified from BHK-21 tissue culture medium. The virus was then analyzed by equilibrium centrifugation and rate zonal centrifugation in sucrose gradients. A buoyant density in sucrose of 1.18 g/ml was found and the S(20, w) value was estimated to be about 470 to 500S. Furthermore, the (3)H-uridine-labeled ribonucleic acid (RNA) from virus was extracted from LCM virus and analyzed by rate zonal centrifugation. Two major and one minor single-stranded RNA components were found with sedimentation coefficients of 28, 22, and 18S.

Free and membrane-bound polyribosomes in normal and Rauscher-virus-infected mouse spleen cells

1. Free and membrane-bound polyribosomes and ribosomal monomers were isolated from normal and Rauscher-virus-infected mouse spleens by means of discontinuous sucrose density gradients. 2. The addition of ribonuclease inhibitor from rat liver was essential to protect these polyribosomes from degradation. To separate the smooth and rough membranes from ribosomal monomers an additional centrifugation step through a continuous sucrose density gradient was necessary. 3. After infection a marked increase in rRNA from both membrane-bound and free polyribosomes was observed. Treatment of the membrane-bound polyribosomes with sodium deoxycholate yielded only 80S particles even when ribonuclease inhibitor was added. 4. A striking feature of the infected spleen was the occurrence of large polyribosomes. Up to 40 monomers per polyribosome could be counted on electron micrographs.

Electron microscopy of the nucleic acid of mouse mammary tumor virus

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MTV) was isolated from the milk of RIII mice by density-gradient centrifugation in Ficoll. The homogeneity of the preparation was demonstrated in electron micrographs. The nucleic acid was extracted with phenol in the presence of Pronase. Its viral origin was attested by failure of ribo-nuclease and deoxyribonuclease treatment of the virus preparation to destroy the filamentous molecules; after phenol extraction, the molecules were destroyed by ribonuclease but not by deoxyribonuclease. Rotary shadowed preparations were examined in the electron microscope. The length distribution of the RNA filaments showed peaks at 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 mum. The molecular weight of the longest molecule of MTV-RNA was estimated as 3.6 x 10(6) daltons.

Analysis of the ribonucleic acid of murine leukemia virus

Cells producing the Rauscher strain of murine leukemia virus (MLV) were exposed to (3)H-uridine, and labeled virus was collected at hourly intervals. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extracted from virions (vRNA) had a characteristic single peak when analyzed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide-agarose composite gels. Exposure of vRNA to dimethyl sulfoxide, urea, formaldehyde, or heat altered the mobility to a faster moving form (vRNA'). This vRNA' sedimented more slowly than native vRNA in sucrose gradients. Incubation of labeled virions at 37 C resulted in fragmentation of viral RNA which was detectable only after denaturation. Also, large differences in the temperature required for the change from vRNA to vRNA' were seen with alterations in NaCl concentration. These experiments demonstrate that the vRNA of MLV is held in a specific conformation by hydrogen bonds distributed over a large part of the molecule. The possibility that an undefined factor is associated with viral RNA is discussed.

Properties of 42S and 26S Sindbis viral ribonucleic acid species

Two species of ribonuclease-sensitive Sindbis viral ribonucleic acids which sedimented at 42S and 26S were studied. 42S RNA, derived either from virions or from viral nucleoids extracted from infected cultures, was converted by heating to an RNA which sedimented at 26S. The sedimentation patterns of 42S RNA and "derived" 26S RNA were similarly affected in low ionic strength buffers. 42S RNA ran as a homogeneous fraction on polyacrylamide gels; the "derived" 26S RNA as well as "natural" 26S RNA from infected cultures showed similar electrophoretic patterns of heterogeneity. A doubling of 3' polynucleotide termini was observed when 42S RNA was heated. Two possibilities concerning the structure of 42S RNA are considered. (i) It may consist of an aggregate of subunits, joined by means of hydrogen bonds to form a complex molecule. (ii) A heat-labile covalent bond of unknown type may link viral RNA subunits. Although 26S RNA from infected cultures and "derived" 26S RNA from 42S RNA behaved in a similar qualitative manner on gels, their sedimentation characteristics were affected differently in low ionic strength buffers. "Natural" and "derived" 26S RNA appear to consist of a population of fragments. and their behavior in gradients and in gels is probably dictated by the experimental conditions of the analytical methods used.

Electron microscopic observations on the ribonucleic acid of murine leukemia virus

The ribonucleic acid (RNA) of murine leukemia virus (MLV) Rauscher strain was observed by the aid of electron microscopy with the use of the protein monolayer technique. RNA was observed directly after release from virus particles or after isolation by sedimentation in sucrose density gradients. Molecules were found in an extended linear form. Many of the RNA filaments released by detergent treatment contained curled regions, suggesting the linear filaments were originally coiled within the virus particle. The relationship of the curled areas to the containment of the RNA within the virus particle is discussed, and a mechanism for the inclusion of RNA in the budding virion is proposed. Treatment of the extended MLV-RNA with dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in the collapse of the molecule forming a tangled complex. Treatment with urea or heating at 50 C in 3 mm NaCl also produced this effect. Also under the conditions in which MLV-RNA was linear, RNA from Rous sarcoma virus also was linear, but Newcastle disease virus RNA and ribosomal RNA of rat liver had collapsed structures. The results indicated that the RNA of MLV, and perhaps other RNA-containing tumor viruses, has a specific unique conformation dependent upon hydrogen bonds.