[Identification of the mRNA of the nucleocapsid proteins of pathogenic arenaviruses].

Total RNA from cells infected with Machupo and Lassa viruses as well as individual sedimentation classes of these RNAs were translated in the cell-free protein-synthesizing system from rabbit reticulocytes. The translation products were precipitated either with anti-Machupo immune gamma-globulin or monoclonal antibodies to nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Lassa virus. Both total RNA and RNA fraction with the sedimentation coefficient 15-16S promoted the synthesis of protein which comigrated in gel with NP protein of purified virions. It is concluded that monocistron mRNA for NP protein of arenaviruses has the sedimentation coefficient 15-16 S.