Eimeria species which infect the chicken contain virus-like RNA molecules.
There is increasing support for the presence of viruses and virus-like particles inside protozoan cells. This study describes viral-like RNA molecules that have been detected in two species of Eimeria that infect the chicken. The RNA molecule identified in E. maxima has been characterized: subcellular fractionation studies have shown that the RNA is present in the cytoplasm, probably as an abundant ribonucleoprotein that is insensitive to RNAse A treatment. Electron microscopy has demonstrated that this RNA molecule is double stranded. In addition, all E. maxima strains examined so far contain this RNA molecule.
Ellis
J
J
Department of Parasitology, AFRC Institute for Animal Health, Houghton Laboratory, Huntingdon.
Revets
H
H
D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002645:Chickens; D004539:Eimeria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D012367:RNA, Viral