Double-stranded RNA

Summary High molecular weight, fully double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been recognized as the genetic material of many plant, animal, fungal, and bacterial viruses (Diplomaviruses); virus-specific dsRNA is also found in cells infected with single-stranded RNA viruses.DsRNA has been identified in a variety of apparently normal eucaryotic cells and is associated with the killer character of certain strains of Saccaromyces cerevisiae.The properties and significance of these various dsRNA species are described and discussed, as well as the available information concerning the biosynthesis of such RNA in virus-infected cells, its degradation by a variety of enzymes, and some problems concerning the variables which may control this process.Finally, the biological functions of dsRNA are briefly considered, as well as the structural properties important for its activity as an inducer of interferon and an inhibitor of protein synthesis.Abbreviations dsRNA for double-stranded RNA - ssRNA for single-stranded RNA - SSC for 0.15 m sodium chloride, 0.015 m sodium citrate, pH 7 - Poly(A), poly(C), poly(U) for polyadenylate, polycytidylate and polyuridylate, respectively - Poly(A).poly(U), poly(G).poly(C), poly(I).poly(C) for double-stranded complexes formed between polyadenylate and polyuridylate, polyguanylate and polycytidylate, and polyinosinate and polycytidylate, respectively. - Poly(rA).poly(dT) for the complex formed between polyriboadenylate and polydeoxyribothymidylate - Poly(A-U), poly(G-C) for the alternating copolymers containing AMP and UMP, or GMP and CMP, respectively - Poly(rA).poly(dUz) for the complex formed between polyadenylate and poly 2-azido-2deoxyuridylate - (I)_n.(br⁵C)_n for the complex formed between polyinosinate and poly 5-bromocytidylate - (I)_n.(s²C)_n for the complex formed between polyinosinate and poly 2-thiocytidylate - (dI_n3)_n.(C)_n for the complex formed between poly 2-azido-2-deoxyinosinate and polycytidylate - MW for molecular weight