Different Classes of Ribonucleic Acid Isolated from Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus

Abstract

Purified preparations of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM virus) contain three classes of RNA. The previously described 18 s , 23 s , 28 s , and 31 s RNAs, where the 23 s and 31 s RNAs are viral-specific, and the 18 s and 28 s RNAs probably are host RNAs incorporated in the virion. Now, 4 s , 5 s , and 5.5 s RNAs can be isolated as well. Thus five RNAs which migrate by acrylamide gel electrophoresis as ribosome-derived RNA can be isolated from purified LCM virus. This observation further supports the reports that arenaviruses may contain ribosomes. The ribosome-derived RNA can be synthesized both before and after the virus infection. The viral 23 s could be a hydrogen-bonded complex forming the 31 s RNA, or it could be contained in defective interfering LCM virus particles; these possibilities are examined.