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Science 1 July 1966:
Vol. 153. no. 3731, pp. 64 - 67
DOI: 10.1126/science.153.3731.64
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Articles

In Vitro Synthesis of an Infectious Mutant RNA with a Normal RNA Replicase

N. R. Pace 1 and S. Spiegelman 1

1 Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana

When purified Qbeta-RNA replicase is presented alternately with two genetically different Qbeta-RNA molecules, the RNA synthesized is identical to the initiating template. The results establish that the RNA is the instructive agent in the replicative process and hence that it satisfies the operational definition of a self-duplicating entity. The data also eliminate alternative explanations which do not involve self-propagation of the input RNA. An opportunity is now provided for studying the genetics and evolution of a self-duplicating nucleic acid molecule under conditions permitting detailed control of environmental parameters and chemical components.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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
   Abstract »    PDF »
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of a Replicating RNA Molecule.
D. R. Mills, F. R. Kramer, and S. Spiegelman (1973)
Science 180, 916-927
   PDF »
Our Role in the Generation, Modification, and Termination of Life.
R. H. Williams (1969)
Arch Intern Med 124, 215-237
   Abstract »    PDF »
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 »


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