Biochemical Properties of a Hamster Syncytium-Forming (“Foamy”) Virus2

Abstract

A hamster syncytium-forming (“foamy”) virus (HFV) was characterized. The HFV sedimented in isopyknic sucrose density gradients at 1.16–1.165 g/ml. It had RNA but no DNA, its replication was inhibited by actinomycin D, and it contained virion-associated, RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Analysis of the RNA from purified virus showed several species: 62S, 40S, 28-30S, 18-205, and 4-7S.