RNAS FROM GENETICALLY DISTINCT RETROVIRUSES CAN COPACKAGE AND EXCHANGE GENETIC INFORMATION IN-VIVO

Sequence analysis suggests that ancient recombination events may have occurred between genetically distinct retroviruses. An experimental sy stem mas utilized to explore the genetic interaction between different viruses. Moloney murine sarcoma virus and spleen necrosis virus are t ype C retroviruses that belong to different subgenera. With vectors co ntaining packaging signals from these two viruses, DNA proviruses cont aining genetic information from both RNAs can be generated. This is th e first experimental evidence to indicate that RNA from different retr oviruses can copackage and exchange genetic information.