Abstract
Methods are described for the isolation in pure form of bacteriophage MS2 and of its RNA. The virus has a particle weight of 3·6 × 10^6, and from phosphorus content is estimated to be 32% RNA by weight. The particle weight of the isolated RNA is 1·05 ± 0·1 × 10^6, indicating that there is one molecule of RNA per virus particle. The RNA is shown to have several unusual properties. In 0·2 M-NaCl it has a very small radius of gyration and a large sedimentation coefficient for its molecular weight, indicating a very compact structure. Upon heating the RNA in 0·14 M-NaCl solutions, the ultraviolet absorbancy transition has a midpoint at 76°C, suggesting a high degree of hydrogen bonding. In lower salt concentrations the RNA aggregates; in 0·02 M-NaCl the observed molecular weight is twice that in 0·2 M-NaCl, and in 0·003 M-tris it is 3 times this value.
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