CUCUMBER MOSAIC-VIRUS RNA-5 IS A MIXED POPULATION DERIVED FROM THE CONSERVED 3'-TERMINAL REGIONS OF GENOMIC RNA-2 AND RNA-3

Analysis of encapsidated RNA from the Q strain of CMV (Q-CMV) has indi cated the presence of a discreet population of molecules of approximat ely 300 nt termed RNA 5 (Peden, K. W. C., and Symons, R. H., Virology 53, 487-492, 1973.). Q-CMV RNA 5 was isolated and the 5'-end sequence was determined by direct RNA sequencing. This sequence corresponded to the exact beginning of the imperfectly conserved 3'-terminal region o f genomic RNAs 1, 2, and 3. A probe generated from RNA 3 consisting of the last 130 nt of this region hybridised to RNA 5. Oligonucleotides containing sequences from the 5'-and 3'-ends of the conserved region w ere used to generate RNA 5 cDNA clones by RT- PCR on gel-purified RNA 5. Sequencing of these clones and primer extension analysis of transcr ipts (derived from the cDNA clones) and purified RNA 5 indicated that RNA 5 consists of the conserved 3'-terminal region of genomic RNAs 2 a nd 3. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.