The immunosorbtion of influenza virus nucleocapsids from cell lysates as a technique for the studies on viral RNA synthesis.

Radioimmunosorbtion of influenza virus nucleocapsids from lysates of the infected cells was applied for studies on virus-specific RNA synthesis. The method allowed the isolation of intact-labelled viral RNA segments. The procedure included preadsorbtion of antiviral antibodies on protein A containing sorbents. The protein A containing sorbent with attached antibodies was mixed with lysates of influenza virus-infected [3H]uridine-labelled cells. Viral nucleocapsids bound by the antibodies to the sorbent were used for RNA extraction. The isolated RNA was analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with subsequent autoradiography. The method allows the isolation of nondegraded labelled virus-specific RNA by means of a relatively simple procedure.