title: Viral DNA synthesized in vitro by avian retrovirus particles permeabilized with melittin. II. Evidence for a strand displacement mechanism in plus-strand synthesis.
abstract: Analyses of the native DNA product of mellitin-activated avian retrovirus reverse transcription have revealed a unique structure. The vast majority of the molecules were linear, either 7.7 (genome) or 8.0 (extended genome) kilobases in length, and contained single-stranded DNA branches distributed throughout. These conclusions are based on electrophoretic properties of intact and restriction endonuclease-treated molecules before and after treatment with single-strand-specific nuclease S1. Preliminary data from linear viral DNA extracted from infected cells suggest that these molecules have a similar structure. The findings summarized in this report and those in the preceding paper indicated that the single-stranded branches are of positive polarity and are generated by a strand displacement mechanism. The existence of these branches suggests a role for strand displacement in replication and recombination.
mesh_terms: D001354:Avian Leukosis Virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001358:Avian Sarcoma Viruses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005559:Formamides; D008555:Melitten / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008836:Micrococcal Nuclease; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005559:Formamides; D008555:Melitten; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D008836:Micrococcal Nuclease