Role of plasma membranes in stimulation of RNA-directed DNA synthesis

Abstract

There has been considerable speculation about the small size of DNA transcripts (less than 10S) obtained by reverse transcription in vitro of 60-70S RNA from oncorna-viruses. On the basis of evidence suggesting that at least part of the virus-specific DNA synthesis could be taking place at the plasma membrane we have examined the role of membrane-bound factors on RNA-directed DNA synthesis (RDDS). We report here the existence of a protein factor, associated with plasma membrane preparations from chick embryonic cells, that stimulates RDDS in avian my-eloblastosis virus (AMV). The stimulated synthesis is sensitive to RNase, and the product DNA is 33-35S in alkaline sucrose gradients.