Induction of poxvirus ribonucleic acid polymerases.

Two distinct ribonucleic acid polymerase activities were induced in HeLa cells by poxvirus infection. These activities differ both in their properties and the time of their appearance after infection. One catalyzes the dAT (copolymer of deoxyadenylate and deoxythymidylate)-primed conversion of adenosine triphosphate and uridine triphosphate into an acid-insoluble product. This enzyme is detectable only if deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis has been blocked. In contrast, the accumulation of progeny genomes is a necessary condition for induction of the second enzyme. The latter activity, which is unmasked by detergent treatment, is found exclusively in maturing virus particles. The possibility that both enzymes are involved in transcribing the viral genome is discussed.