RNA synthesis in cells infected with an icosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyvirus (frog virus 3)

In cells infected with frog virus 3 there was extensive but not complete inhibition of host RNA synthesis. Host RNA processing was not impaired. The electrophoretic pattern of frog virus 3 specific RNA transcripts in infected FHM cells has been determined. When analyzed by gel electrophoresis, the transcripts separated in a size range of 6 to 16S with the bulk migrating around 16S. These RNA's contain polyadenylic acid stretches of approximately 150 to 200 nucleotides. In the absence of viral DNA replication, the rate of transcription is reduced, but the molecular size species correspond to those produced in normal infection. No evidence of distinct "early" RNA transcripts could be found.