A quantitative assay for DNA-RNA hybrids with DNA immobilized on a membrane

Molecular weight estimation and separation of ribonucleic acid by electrophoresis in agarose-acrylamide composite gels

Methylmercury as a reversible denaturing agent for agarose gel electrophoresis.

A new method for the large scale purification of Escherichia coli deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase.

Ultrastructure of bacteriophage and bacteriocins.

Electrophoretic separation of viral nucleic acids on polyacrylamide gels

Deoxyribonucleic acid contains sequences complementary to homologous amino-acid transfer ribonucleic acid molecules which serve as the translating device between polyribonucleotides and proteins. This implies that the RNA molecules have their primary origin in DNA. From the amount of DNA participating, one would infer that more than 20 complementary sequences exist per genome, a conclusion consistent with a degenerate code. The fact that complex formation occurs most readily with homologous RNA suggests that, while the language remains universal, each dictionary is uniquely identifiable with its own genome.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/138/3547/1328.full.pdf

Origin and biologic individuality of the genetic dictionary.

Experiments with an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase ("replicase") purified from Escherichia coli infected with an RNA bacteriophage (Qbeta) demonstrate that the enzyme generates a polynucleotide of the same molecular weight as viral RNA; the "replicase" cannot distinguish the polynucleotide from its own RNA genome. By starting reactions at input ratios below the saturation levels of template to enzyme, autocatalytic kinetics of RNA increase are observed. The data are consistent with the conclusion that self-propagation of complete viral genomes is occurring in this simple system.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/150/3698/884.full.pdf

Autocatalytic Synthesis of a Viral RNA in vitro

Observations with RNA isolated from the RNA virus indicate that regulation of protein synthesis occurs during translation. At least three electrophoretically separable proteins, one of which lacks histidine, appear as a result of adding purified viral RNA to a cell-free extract of Escherichia coli. This establishes that the RNA contains at least three cistrons. Comparison of the kinetics of appearance of the proteins that do and do not contain histidine reveals a control mechanism which determines the temporal order and the frequency of translation of each cistron. Such translational controls at the stage of message use provide additional devices for regulating protein synthesis which can supplement those functioning at the transcription step where genetic messages are produced.

Translational Control of Protein Synthesis in a Cell-Free System Directed by a Polycistronic Viral RNA

Electron micrographs of purified replicating form DNA of the bacteriophage oX-174 show that it has ring structure. The circular property may explain both the abnormally high sedimentation coefficient and the great resistance of this DNA to irreversible heat denaturation. Intactness of the circle is required for the control of strand selection during transcription into complementary copies of RNA.

S. Spiegelman

Papers

Electrophoretic separation of viral nucleic acids on polyacrylamide gels

Origin and biologic individuality of the genetic dictionary.

Autocatalytic Synthesis of a Viral RNA in vitro

Translational Control of Protein Synthesis in a Cell-Free System Directed by a Polycistronic Viral RNA

Circularity of the Replicating Form of a Single-Stranded DNA Virus