Abstract

Viroids are uncoated infectious RNA molecules pathogenic to certain higher plants. Four different highly purified viroids were studied. By ultracentrifugation, thermal denaturation, electron microscopy, and end group analysis the following features were established: (i) the molecular weight of cucumber pale fruit viroid from tomato is 110,000, of citrus exocortis viroid from Gynura 119,000, of citrus exocortis viroid from tomato 119,000 and of potato spindle tuber viroid from tomato 127,000. (ii) Viroids are single-stranded molecules. (iii) Virods exhibit high thermal stability, cooperativity, and self-complementarity resulting in a rod-like native structure. (iv) Viroids are covalently closed circular RNA molecules.

Keywords

ViroidPotato spindle tuber viroidRNABiologyCovalent bondCircular RNADenaturation (fissile materials)MoleculeVirologyChemistryBiochemistry

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Publication Info

Year
1976
Type
article
Volume
73
Issue
11
Pages
3852-3856
Citations
2353
Access
Closed

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Heinz L. Sänger, Günther Klotz, D. Riesner et al. (1976). Viroids are single-stranded covalently closed circular RNA molecules existing as highly base-paired rod-like structures.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 73 (11) , 3852-3856. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.73.11.3852

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DOI
10.1073/pnas.73.11.3852