Virus-coded origin of a low molecular weight RNA from KB cells infected with adenovirus 2

Abstract

After infection with adenoviruses, KB cells synthesize a unique species of low molecular weight RNA (VA RNA). The primary structure of this RNA has been studied and reported previously, but its coding by DNA was in question because it annealed with both adenovirus DNA and KB cell DNA. In the experiments to be reported, most of the nonspecific interaction of VA RNA with KB cell DNA was eliminated by the use of formamide and by further purification of the DNA and RNA. Of VA RNA, 0.74 copy was detected in adenovirus 2 DNA by saturation of the DNA with increasing amounts of VA RNA; 66% of VA RNA added into the incubation mixture was hybridized by saturation with increasing amounts of adenovirus DNA fixed on the cellulose nitrate filter. No increase of the hybridized count was observed when ribonuclease treatment of the hybrids, formed under conditions of DNA excess, was omitted. From these results, it was concluded that VA RNA is coded by the infecting viral genome.