This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chi, Y. Y. Articles by Bassel, A. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chi, Y. Y. Articles by Bassel, A. R.

Electron Microscopy of Viral RNA: Molecular Weight Determination of Bacterial and Animal Virus RNAs

¹ Department of Microbiology, State University of New York Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York 13210

ABSTRACT

A method for preparation of single-stranded RNA for electron microscopy determination of molecular weight is reported. The method uses treatment with formaldehyde at elevated temperatures to remove secondary structure and spreading in a protein monolayer from 50% formamide onto a 50% formamide hypophase. Molecular weights were determined for some bacterial and animal viruses, for which conflicting values had been reported earlier. Molecular weights determined by the method, using Escherichia coli large subunit rRNA for a standard (1.1 x 10⁶), are as follows: E. coli small subunit rRNA, 0.53 x 10⁶; coliphage f2-RNA, 1.3 x 10⁶; Qß-RNA, 1.55 x 10⁶; and Newcastle disease virus RNA, 5.78 x 10⁶.