Amino Acid Accepting Activity for Lysine and Arginine Transfer Ribonucleic Acids in Moloney and WM1-B Strains of Murine Leukemia Viruses

Abstract

The object of this research was to isolate and purify Moloney and WMl-B strains of Murine Leukemia virus from (NIH) Swiss mouse embryo tissue culture and to determine transfer ribonucleic acid presence for Lysine and Arginine. Viruses were purified by ultracentrifugation and activity determined by Plaque Assay. Protein concentration and RNA content by Lowry and Orcinol assays respectfully, concludes a 2-3% total RNA content of this RNA tumor virus, similar to that reported for Avian tumor viruses and other strains of Murine Leukemia viruses. Enzymatic aminoacylation proved that Murine Leukemia viruses contain transfer RNA populations. This is the first time transfer RNA amino acid accepting activity in Murine Leukemia virus has been observed and may be a general property of RNA Tumor Viruses.