The response of BHK21 cells to infection with type 12 adenovirus: VI. Synthesis of virus-specific RNA

Abstract

When G1-arrested BHK21 cells are infected with type 12 adenovirus (Ad12), some of the newly synthesized RNA is virus specific. RNA-DNA hybridization-competition experiments have demonstrated that this RNA corresponds to up to 60% of those “early” mRNA sequences which are transcribed in productively infected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. No “late” Ad12 mRNA was detected in BHK21 cells. Comparison of Ad12-specific RNA sequences transcribed in Ad12-infected BHK21 cells and in Ad12-induced hamster tumor cells (line HT 2) by hybridization-competition reaction indicated that no virus-specific sequences are transcribed in HT 2 cells which are not also present in BHK21 cells abortively infected with Ad12. Attempts to detect any Ad12 DNA synthesis in BHK21 cells by DNA-DNA hybridization, under conditions of minimal background cellular DNA synthesis, were unsuccessful. Correspondingly, immunofluorescent staining experiments failed to detect Ad12 capsid protein synthesis in over 10 4 infected cells.