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Visna Virus: a Slow Virus with an RNA Dependent DNA Polymerase

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Abstract

VISNA virus is the cause of a progressive neurological disease of sheep which results in paralysis and death1,2. After inoculation, the virus multiplies within the host, but illness may not be manifest for months or years3. Visna virus shares some physical, chemical and biological properties with oncogenic RNA viruses4. The similarities include virion and core size, site of maturation, growth properties, nucleic acid composition5, and sensitivity to physical and chemical agents. The inhibition of visna virus replication by low concentrations of actinomycin D (ref. 5) indicates a requirement for DNA synthesis for the growth of this agent. An RNA dependent DNA polymerase has been discovered in many oncogenic RNA viruses6,7. This communication demonstrates the presence of similar enzyme activity in visna, a virus without known oncogenic potential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Viral Leukemia and Lymphoma Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 20014

    LAWRENCE B. STONE, EDWARD SCOLNICK, KENNETH K. TAKEMOTO & STUART A. AARONSON

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  1. LAWRENCE B. STONE
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  2. EDWARD SCOLNICK
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  3. KENNETH K. TAKEMOTO
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  4. STUART A. AARONSON
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STONE, L., SCOLNICK, E., TAKEMOTO, K. et al. Visna Virus: a Slow Virus with an RNA Dependent DNA Polymerase. Nature 229, 257–258 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/229257a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/229257a0

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