Extensive in vitro transcription of rous sarcoma virus RNA by avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase and concurrent activation of the associated RNase H.

Conditions are described that promote the efficient reverse transcription of most of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) RNA sequences by avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase in vitro. A detailed analysis of the reverse transcription reaction was carried out using two procedures: in situ analysis of the RNA sequences transcribed and DNA-RNA annealing studies. Under optimal conditions, after 1 h of reaction, practically all RSV RNA sequences were transcribed with a frequency varying from 30 to 90%. The DNA product was at least 95% single stranded, had a chain length ranging from a few hundred up to 5,000 necleotide residues, half of it being larger than 1,000 residues, and, after hybridization at RNA excess, protected the entire RSV genome from RNase digestion, as monitored by the large T1 oligonucleotides of RSV RNA. Analysis of the product of a very short reaction time (5 min) showed that DNA synthesis occurs mainly at three sites, one near the 5' end and two near the center of the subunit RNA. This in in agreement with our previous analysis of a much less efficient reverse transcription reaction. Under optimal conditions of reverse transcription, we find now that the RNase H associated with the avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase is active in degrading the RNA moiety of the RNA-DNA hybrids synthesized.