Sendai virus RNA as messenger RNA determining the synthesis of early virus specific proteins

Sendai virus irradiated by UV light, the dose of which is sufficient for inactivation of infectivity, is capable of inducing synthesis of early protein only. The synthesis of early virus-specific proteins was observed in the absence of virusspecific RNA-synthesis. Consequently, RNA of virion (plus-strand) is the m-RNA for the synthesis of early virus-specific proteins of Sendai virus. Since viral structural proteins do not synthesize under these conditions, it is assumed, that the synthesis of virus capsid proteins is coded by a minus-strand. The possible significance of such processes for an understanding of the nature of viral oncogenesis and stable antiviral immunity is discussed.