Characterization of the 3'-terminal region of the large molecular weight RNA subunits from normal and transformation-defective Rous sarcoma virus.

In avian sarcoma viruses a function required to transform cells is frequently lost giving rise to non-transforming virus. The genetic information for this function is localized near the 3' end of the genome. Short 3'-terminal poly(A)-linked RNA fragments from the genomes of a transforming Rous sarcoma virus and its non-transforming derivative were isolated and gave rise to identical fingerprint patterns, suggesting that internal deletion rather than terminal elimination leads to non-transforming virus.