Electron microscopic characterization of avian myeloblastosis virus RNA by the non-protein technique of spreading.
The quantitative analysis of the behaviour of retroviral RNA (AMV RNA) under the conditions of the non-protein technique of electron microscopic visualization on a mono-molecular film of BAC was performed. This technique resulted in visualization of intact molecules the mean length of which was 12% larger in comparison with molecules spread by the cytochrome c method. The method was found to be extremely sensitive to the surface properties of the supporting membrane which distinctly affect the shape and size of molecules. Arrangement of the surface potential of the supporting foil by means of ethidium bromide led to high reproducibility of RNA molecule stretching and to an increase in their length. The conditions were worked out in which extended linear RNA molecules were visualized, even under gentle denaturation. These conditions represent a suitable approach to the electron microscopic visualization of the protein--AMV RNA complexes.
D001354:Avian Leukosis Virus / Q000032:analysis*; D009189:Avian Myeloblastosis Virus / Q000032:analysis*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D012367:RNA, Viral; D013499:Surface Properties
D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D012367:RNA, Viral