Blocked, methylated 5'-terminal sequence in avian sarcoma virus RNA
Abstract
mRNAs of many eukaryotic cells and viruses contain blocked, methylated 5'-terminal structures of the type, m7GpppN (ref. 1). This `cap' structure, and in particular the 5'-terminal 7-methylguanosine, is required for efficient translation in vitro of globin, reovirus and vesicular stomatitis virus mRNAs2,3. The genome subunits of RNA tumour viruses probably function as viral mRNA since RNA of the same base sequence is present in virus-specific polysomes of infected cells4,5 and virion genome RNA can be translated in vitro in a eukaryotic system6. Consistent with this possibility, we have found a blocked, methylated 5'-terminal structure-m7GpppGmpCp-in the genome RNA of avian sarcoma virus (ASV).
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- October 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1038/257618a0
- Bibcode:
- 1975Natur.257..618F