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J Virol. 1974 March; 13(3): 577-583
Copyright © 1974 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Polymerase Activity of Pichinde Virus

^a Department of Virology and Epidemiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77025

ABSTRACT

Pichinde virus, a member of the arenavirus group, was examined for polymerase activity. Purified virus was found to contain RNA-dependent RNA polymerase but not RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. Since RNase but neither DNase nor actinomycin D inhibited the endogenous polymerase reaction, RNA of the virus appeared to be used as the template. The divalent cations Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ were required for optimal reactivity. The RNA product was partially resistant to RNase and the resistant portion had a sedimentation coefficient of 22 to 26S in sucrose gradients.

¹ Present address: Jensen-Salsbery Laboratories, Kansas City, Kansas.

² Present address: Department of Pathology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.