RNA Synthesis in BHK 21 Cells Persistently Infected with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus and Rabies Virus

Abstract
Virus-induced RNA synthesis was studied in BHK 21 [baby hamster kidney] cells persistently infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and rabies virus by labeling RNA synthesized in the presence of actinomycin D. During persistent infection the species of mRNA synthesized were similar in size and relative proportions to those seen during acute infection, but there were some minor differences. Full-sized B virion RNA was generally not detected during persistent infection and new species (probably DI [defective interfering] virion RNA) appeared.