CALICIVIRUS INTRACELLULAR RNA - FRACTIONATION OF 18-22-S RNA AND LACK OF TYPICAL 5'-METHYLATED CAPS ON 36-S AND 22-S SAN MIGUEL SEA LION VIRUS RNAS

Radiolabeled RNA from Vero cells infected with a calicivirus, San Miguel sea lion virus type 2, in the presence of actinomycin D, was fractionated by glycerol density gradient sedimentation to yield 36 S single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and heterogenous RNA sedimenting in the 18-22 S region. Further fractionation of 18-22 S RNA by LiCl precipitation, CF-11 cellulose chromatography, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded 22 S ssRNA, two doule-stranded RNAs )dsRNA), and a partially single-partially double-stranded RNA (ss/dsRNA). Sedimentation analysis indicated the major and minor dsRNAs were equivalent to two strands of 36 S and 22 S ssRNAs, respectively, and the dsRNA core of ss/dsRNA was equivalent to the major dsRNA. Neither 22 S ssRNA (presumed subgenomic mRNA) nor 36 S ssRNA (presummed full genomic RNA plus intracellular virion RNA) had the typical 5′-methylated cap. © 1979.