Subgenomic messenger RNA amplification in coronaviruses.

ABSTRACT: Coronaviruses possess the largest known RNA genome, a 27- to 32-kb (+)-strand molecule that replicates in the cytoplasm. During virus replication, a 3' coterminal nested set of five to eight subgenomic (sg) mRNAs are made that are also 5' coterminal with the genome, because they carry the genomic leader as the result of discontinuous transcription at intergenic donor signals during (-)-strand synthesis when templates for sgmRNA synthesis are made. An unanswered question is whether the sgmRNAs, which appear rapidly and abundantly, undergo posttranscriptional amplification. Here, using RT-PCR and sequence analyses of head-to-tail-ligated (-) strands, we show that after transfection of an in vitro-generated marked sgmRNA into virus-infected cells, the sgmRNA, like the genome, can function as

SUBMITTER: Wu HY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2901459 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature