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Science 12 November 1965:
Vol. 150. no. 3698, pp. 884 - 886
DOI: 10.1126/science.150.3698.884
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Articles

Autocatalytic Synthesis of a Viral RNA in vitro

I. Haruna 1 and S. Spiegelman 1

1 Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana

Experiments with an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase ("replicase") purified from Escherichia coli infected with an RNA bacteriophage (Qbeta) demonstrate that the enzyme generates a polynucleotide of the same molecular weight as viral RNA; the "replicase" cannot distinguish the polynucleotide from its own RNA genome. By starting reactions at input ratios below the saturation levels of template to enzyme, autocatalytic kinetics of RNA increase are observed. The data are consistent with the conclusion that self-propagation of complete viral genomes is occurring in this simple system.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Q{beta}-Phage Resistance by Deletion of the Coiled-coil Motif in Elongation Factor Ts.
H. Karring, S. G. J. Mathu, J. van Duin, B. F. C. Clark, B. Kraal, and C. R. Knudsen (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 1878-1884
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Evolution of the RNA Coliphages: The Role of Secondary Structures during RNA Replication.
C. Priano, F.R. Kramer, and D.R. Mills (1987)
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 52, 321-330
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Ribonucleic Acid: I. The Test-Tube Synthesis of a Viral Nucleic Acid II. The Development and Use of Molecular Hybridization.
S. Spiegelman (1974)
JAMA 230, 1036-1042
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Complete Nucleotide Sequence of a Replicating RNA Molecule.
D. R. Mills, F. R. Kramer, and S. Spiegelman (1973)
Science 180, 916-927
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The Mechanism of RNA Replication.
S. Spiegelman, N. R. Pace, D. R. Mills, R. Levisohn, T. S. Eikhom, M. M. Taylor, R. L. Peterson, and D. H. L. Bishop (1968)
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 33, 101-124
   Abstract »    PDF »
In Vitro Synthesis of an Infectious Mutant RNA with a Normal RNA Replicase.
N. R. Pace and S. Spiegelman (1966)
Science 153, 64-67
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