Open AccessProperties of a cell-free system for synthesis of citrus exocortis viroid
Author(s) -
Ricardo Flores,
J. S. Semancik
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.79.20.6285
Subject(s) - viroid , rna , biology , polymerase , dna , deoxyribonuclease , virology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene
Partially purified nuclei from citrus exocortis viroid (CEV)-infectedGynura aurantiaca are able to synthesize linear and circular viroid molecules. Pretreatment of the nuclei with actinomycin D or deoxyribonuclease did not affect viroid synthesis, whereas the synthesis of other cellular RNAs was severely reduced. These observations support the essential role of CEV complementary RNA sequences in viroid replication. However, when α-amanitin was included in thisin vitro synthesis system, CEV replication was markedly reduced by concentrations of 10 nM or greater. Taken together, these data support the proposition that viroid synthesis is catalyzed by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase acting on a RNA template.