Identification of Rauscher murine leukemia virus-specific mRNAs for the synthesis of gag- and env-gene products.

Polyadenylylated mRNA isolated from cells infected with Rauscher murine leukemia virus was fractionated by centrifugation in in a denaturing sucrose gradient into different sizes. Each RNA fraction was injected into oocytes of Xenopus laevis and the virus-specific products were analyzed by immunoprecipitation with polyvalent and monospecific antisera against polypeptides of Rauscher murine leukemia virus, and then by gel electrophoresis and scintillation autoradiography. It was shown that a 35S mRNA species directs the synthesis of a precursor of the internal or group-specific antigens of the virion (the gag-gene products). A 22S mRNA species directs the synthesis of two viral envelope polypeptides and their precursor polypeptide (env-gene products). The results indicate that the gag- and env-related polypeptides of Rauscher murine leukemia virus are synthesized uncoordinately and provide evidence for open and closed cistrons on the virus-specific mRNAs.