title: RNAs of influenza A, B, and C viruses.
abstract: The nucleic acids of influenza A, B, and C viruses were compared. Susceptibility to nucleases demonstrates that influenza C virus, just as influenza A and B viruses, possesses single-stranded RNA as its genome. The base compositions of the RNAs of influenza A, B, and influenza C virus are almost identical and comparative analysis on polyacrylamide gels shows that the genome of influenza C/GL/1167/54 virus, like that of the RNAs of influenza A and B viruses, is segmented. Eight distinct RNA bands were found for influenza A/PR/8/34 virus and for influenza B/Lee/40 virus. The RNA of influenza C/GL/1167/54 virus separated into at least four segments. The total molecular weights of the RNA of influenza A/PR/8/34 and B/Lee/40 virus were calculated to be 5.29 X 10(6) and 6.43 X 10(6), respectively. A minimum value of 4.67 X 10(6) daltons was obtained for influenza C/GL/1167/54 virus RNA. The data suggest that influenza C viruses are true members of the influenza virus group.
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003562:Cytidine / Q000032:analysis; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D006147:Guanine / Q000032:analysis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D014498:Uracil / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D014498:Uracil; D003562:Cytidine; D006147:Guanine; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D012260:Ribonucleases; D000225:Adenine