Mengovirus replication: II. Isolation of polyribosomes containing the infecting viral genome

Abstract

The RNA of Mengovirus was labeled with tritium. Polyribosomes were isolated from cells infected with this virus. In vivo synthesis of protein on the polyribosomes was determined by measuring the incorporation of C 14 -amino acids. The virus genome was specifically localized in polyribosomes from the earliest stages of infection onward, remaining undegraded. It is concluded that the virus genome serves as an in vivo messenger RNA to direct the synthesis of viral proteins.