Genome structure of incomplete particles of adenovirus

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Abstract
Incomplete particles arising during productive growth of adenovirus [in human oral carcinoma KB or HeLa cells] were separated from infectious particles by density gradient centrifugation. The DNA contained in particles of low density was characterized by restriction enzyme [Hind III, Sma I, Bam I] analysis and by EM and heteroduplexing techniques. The DNA is heterogeneous in length, ranging in size from 15% of the normal genome to full length. Many individual molecules contain long, inverted terminal repetitions, which consist of the sequences extending from the normal left-hand end of the viral genome inward; the normal right end sequences appear to be missing from these molecules. The region of the genome reiterated in these molecules is that which was implicated in transformation of rat cells by adenovirus. A model for adenovirus replication is presented that accounts for the aberrant structures observed.