Mapping of RNAs transcribed from adenovirus type 12 early and VA RNA regions.

Abstract

Abstract We have defined the sizes and map positions of adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) cytoplasmic RNAs produced during the early and intermediate phases of infection using the nuclease S1-gel technique. S1-protected [ 32 P)DNAs were analyzed in conventional neutral and alkaline agarose gels as well as in a two-dimensional agarose gel system. In Ad12 early regions 1A, 111, 2, 3, and 4, we identified four, three, one, five, and five mRNA species, respectively. These mRNAs formed family structures, commonly shared a limited variety of 3′ and/or 5′ end positions and multiple splicing patterns. Most mRNAs showed all possible combinations of terminal positions and splicing patterns. In spite of these complex features, a remarkable similarity was observed between Ad12 and Ad2 mRNA structures in each early region. However, several differences were observed in these early regions, especially in early region 3. Only a single species of Ad12 VA RNA was detected near 30 map units, as with Ad2 VA RNA I .