Microinjection analysis of envelope-glycoprotein messenger activities of avian leukosis viral RNAs.

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Abstract
Virion RNA from the avian leukosis virus Rous-associated virus 2 (RAV-2) and poly(A)-containing RNAs from RAV-2-infected chick embryo fibroblasts were microinjected into fibroblasts transformed by the Bryan high-titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), which is deficient in viral envelope glycoprotein. Production of infectious RSV following these injections depended upon the viral envelope-messenger activity of the injected RNA. This system constituted a sensitive and rigorous assay system for viral envelope-mRNA. The 21S mRNA from RAV-2-infected cells expressed the highest activity, while 35S mRNA expressed comparatively little. In addition, RAV-2 virion RNA expressed little messenger activity. The rate of formation of infectious RSV following 21S mRNA injections reached a peak near 9 h, which was followed by a rapid decline. A small fraction of both 35S virion RNA and 35S mRNA from virus-infected cells was encapsulated into virus particles following their injection into virus-producing cells.