Pichinde virus L and S RNAs contain unique sequences.

Using oligodeoxyribonucleotides produced by limited DNase I digestion of calf thymus DNA as a primer, we synthesized complementary DNA (cDNA) from the L and the S RNAs of Pichinde virus. The reaction conditions for in vitro cDNA synthesis were optimized to allow transcription of about 90% of either L or S RNA. No significant hybridization was observed when the L cDNA was hybridized to the S RNA, or when the S cDNA was hybridized to the L RNA. The results indicate that the L and S RNAs of Pichinde virus contain unique nucleotide sequences.