Newcastle disease virus-specific RNA: poly(A)-containing and poly(A)-deficient transcripts as revealed by chromatography on poly(U)-sepharose

Abstract

Total [3H]uridine-labeled virus-specific RNA from Newcastle disease virus-infected cells was fractionated by poly(U)-sepharose chromatography and analyzed by rate zonal gradient centrifugation. The sedimentation pattern of eluted and nonadsorbed RNA resembled that of the total RNA. Nonadsorbed RNA was enriched in 50S material and its 18S peak was broader and slightly shifted towards the top of the gradient. Poly(U)-sepharose chromatography of isolated 18S RNA and 24S RNA resulted in the separation of poly(A)-containing RNA and poly(A)-deficient RNA. In the former the percentage of adenosine content represented by poly(A) sequences was .apprx. 10-12% (for 18S RNA) or .apprx. 6.0% (for 24S RNA). The size of poly(A) fragments as measured by their sedimentation rate was the same for 18S and 24S RNA. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of poly(a)-containing RNA revealed a characteristic pattern closely resembling the pattern of nonchromatographed 18S and 24S RNA. The pattern of poly(A)-deficient RNA was heterogenous, for 18S RNA it shifted towards the anode. The possible origin of poly(A)-deficient transcripts is discussed.