Abstract
The nucleic acids produced intracellularly during the replication cycles of both DNA and RNA viruses can now be identified rapidly using a sensitized procedure based on staining with the fluorochrome acridine orange. Cellular DNA, viral DNA (both single and double stranded forms), cellular RNA, and RNA arising as a result of viral stimulus can be differentiated. The intracellular development of virus specific DNA, RNA, and protein has been studied in monkey kidney cells infected with adenoviruses types 3 and 7. It has been possible to detect a labile RNA in the nucleus from 16 to 20 hours after inoculation. When the cultures are treated with puromycin at this time, this RNA can be accumulated under certain conditions in the nucleus and demonstrated cytochemically. At the same time the production of specific viral protein as determined by staining with fluorescein-labeled antibodies is markedly inhibited. However, intranuclear double stranded DNA continues to be formed for a time. When puromycin is added to the system early in the eclipse period virus-specific DNA and labile RNA cannot be detected.