title: DNA contained by two densonucleosis viruses.
abstract: The DNA contained by particles of densonucleosis viruses 1 and 2 were analyzed within the particle, and properties of DNA extracted from these particles were determined. The DNA appears to exist as a single-stranded molecule with limited secondary structure within particles, as assessed by spectral changes induced by formaldehyde, melting profiles, and circular dichroism studies. The single-stranded DNA had an apparent molecular weight of 1.9 X 10(6) to 2.2 X 10(6) as assessed by differences in the molecular weight of virus particles and top component and percentage of nucleic acid. DNA extracted from virus particles in low-salt buffers possessed properties typical of a single-stranded molecule. Double-stranded DNA could be extracted from virus particles under appropriate high salt and elevated temperature. The linear double-stranded DNA extracted from both viruses had a molecular weight of about 3.9 X 10(6) to 4.1 ZX 10(6) determined by neutral sedimentation and electron microscopy and an equivalent genome size determined by reassociation kinetics. About 87% of the DNA was homologous between the two viruses.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000032:analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007304:Insect Viruses / Q000032:analysis*; D007313:Insecta / Q000382:microbiology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D010321:Parvoviridae / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004279:DNA, Viral