Message activity of influenza viral RNA.

The message activity of influenza virion RNA in the wheat germ cell-free protein-synthesizing system was investigated. RNA extracted from purified virions was found to direct the synthesis of a polypeptide that had the mobility of viral nucleocapsid protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Further characterization of the protein indicated it was not the nucleocapsid protein. No other polypeptides were detected. We conclude that influenza virion RNA is inactive as a template for the synthesis of virus-specific proteins.