INCORPORATION OF METHYL GROUPS BY VIRAL AND CELLULAR RNA OF HEP 2 CELLS AFTER POLIOVIRUS INFECTION

We have found that late in the cyle of poliovirus replication, when active viral RNA synthesis is taking place as shown by the incorporation of uridine-3H into the 35 S and 16 S species, methyl groups are not incorporated into either single- or double-stranded viral RNA. Under these conditions, only 4 S RNA is methylated. Base analysis of the soluble RNA, obtained from HEp 2 cells infected with poliovirus for 6 hours, reveals that there is preferential methylation of adenine bases and appearance of 6 methyladenine, a base not detected in the 4 S RNA extracted from normal cells. © 1968.