Visualizing Virus-Derived dsRNA Using Antibody-Independent and -Dependent Methods.

Long double-stranded (ds) RNA molecules are produced as a byproduct of viral replication. Studying virus-derived dsRNA is important for understanding virus replication, understanding host responses to virus infections, and as a diagnostic tool for virus presence and replication. Here, we describe four different techniques for visualizing dsRNA; two antibody-dependent methods (immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry), as well as two antibody-independent methods (differential digestion and acridine orange staining). The benefits and disadvantages of each technique are also discussed.