Molecular weights of the RNA genome segments of a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus determined by a new comparative approach

Abstract A cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) from Heliothis armigera contains 10 double-stranded RNA genome segments which are all well resolved on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The relationship between log molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels has been studied using 32 P-labeled CPV RNA, and has been shown to deviate markedly from linearity at the higher molecular weight values. A new relationship between molecular weight and electrophoretic mobility for doubles-tranded RNA has therefore been defined and used to determine the absolute molecular weight of the CPV RNA by comparison with reovirus type 3 RNA.