RNA and protein components of maize streak and cassava latent viruses.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that maize streak (MSV) and cassava latent (CLV) viruses each contain one species of protein and two of RNA. The estimated protein mol. wt is 28000 for MSV and 34000 for CLV. The mol. wts obtained for the two RNA species using formamide-containing gels were the same for the two viruses: 1-7 X 10(6) and 1-3 X 10(6). It is suggested that the viruses have a two-part genome and that the tendency of their nucleoprotein particles to form pairs favours the delivery of complete genomes to sites of infection.