Abstract
Reverse transcriptase activity was found in rat liver enclosed in virus-like particles. Through hybridization with DNA probes of A- and C-type retroviruses and with the help of electron microscopy the virus-like particles have been identified as endogenous retroviruses related to the mouse intracisternal A-particles. Blot hybridization revealed the provirus DNA in the rat genome. The enzyme was isolated from the virus-like particles, purified and characterized. The main properties of the enzyme resemble those of the mammalian retrovirus reverse transcriptase.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Fractionation
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Centrifugation, Density Gradient
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Chemical Phenomena
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Chemistry, Physical
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DNA / genetics
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DNA, Viral / genetics
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Liver / enzymology*
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Liver / microbiology
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Male
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Mice
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Microscopy, Electron
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Nucleic Acid Hybridization
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Poly A / genetics
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RNA / genetics
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Viral / genetics
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred Strains
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Retroviridae / enzymology*
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Retroviridae / genetics
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Substrate Specificity
Substances
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DNA, Viral
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Viral
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Poly A
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RNA
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DNA
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase