Polyoma virus high molecular weight nuclear rna codes for capsid protein VP2 in vitro

Abstract

RNA extracted from the nuclei of 3T6 mouse cells late after infection by pot yoma virus (Py) has been translated in vitro to give one predominant polypeptide, which was identified as virion protein VP2 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, specific immunoprecipitation, and tryptic peptide analysis. The active nuclear RNA species sediment between 15 and 50 S on sucrose gradients after denaturation, and resediment true after further denaturation and recentrifugation on 50% formamide-sucrose gradients. The bulk of the active viral nuclear RNA does not bind to oligo(dT)-cellulose and synthesis of Py VP2 is inhibited by m 7Gp under conditions where translation of Py-cRNA and EMC RNA are not inhibited. These experiments suggest that large viral nuclear RNA molecules, which are probably capped but not polyadenylated, can serve as messengers for Py VP2.