In vitro selective RNA synthesis with L-A virus nanoparticles.

New in vitro RNA synthesis has been performed with an L-A virus nanoparticles, in which the gene and polymerase are integrated. The specific recognition sequence (packaging site) of L-A virus was inserted within a gene of interest. Based on the intrinsic replication cycle, the exogenous RNA with the packaging site was encapsulated by an empty L-A virus nanoparticle. The packaging site worked as a recognition site even for exogenous RNAs. The recognized RNA was replicated to dsRNA, and was then transcribed by empty L-A virus nanoparticles. These results indicate that empty L-A virus nanoparticles recognize an exogenous RNA with the packaging site and synthesize RNA in vitro.