Separated strands of adenovirus DNA were annealed with ear1y cytoplasmic RNA and visualized in the electron microscope. DNA-RNA duplex regions within the DNA filaments could be recognized by their heavy contour. This contour was often interrupted at distinct locations by loops of displaced, sin-tranded DNA. Loops have been observed and mapped in al four early regions of the genome. The structures appear to signal hitherto unknown mechanisms of eukaryotic gene expression. The synthesis of mRNA in eukaryotic cells consists of a number of distinct but poorly understood steps. After transcription from the template DNA, the RNA transcript appears to undergo a series of nucleolytic cleavages, modification of the 5' end to form the "cap" structure, and addition of poly(A) to the 3' end (1, 2). We have been studying the RNAs synthesized after infection of KB cells by human adenovious type 2 (Ad2) in an attempt to understand these processes. The Ad2 system provides an excellent model in which to study these processes in that its DNA is far less complex than that of a eukaryotic cell and has few gene products but appears to share the same mechanism for RNA transcription and processing.The viral gene products can be placed into two separate classes: those produced early during infection (that is, before the onset of viral DNA synthesis); and those produced after its onset (late RNAs). We have mapped early and late cytoplasmic RNAs (3-5) as well as late nuclear RNAs (6) by using the R-loop electron microscope technique (7,8). In addition, use of quantitative electron microscopy has enabled us to determine the relative abundance of individual populations of cytoplasmic Ad2 RNA (9, 10). Hybridization of RNA with separated strands of Ad2 DNA revealed structures reminiscent of insertions previously observed in Drosophila melanogaster rDNA'RNA hybrids (7,11,12
RESULTSEarly cytoplasmic Ad2 RNA hybridizes to four regions of the genome (14, 15) which we (10) located at map positions 1.1-10.6, 61.6-68.1, 76.7-83.7, and 91.5-96.9. The rightward DNA strand contains regions 1 and 3; the leftward strand contains regions 2 and 4. Fig. 1A depicts a rightward Ad2 DNA molecule that carries RNA in region 1 (left end) and in region 3 (right of center). Arrows point to small loops of single-stranded nucleic acid that protrude, at two locations, from the DNA-RNA duplex structures. We have also observed loops in regions 2 and 4 on the leftward strand and a second loop occurring at a different site in region 1. Fig. 1 B and C shows enlargements of the two loops found in region 1. These RNAs have been mapped at positions 1.2-5.5 (region la) and 4.4-11.3 (region lb) with the loops mapping between points 2.9 and 4.0 and 5.9 and 9.7, respectively. The 3' terminus of region la RNA (5.5) overlaps with the 5' terminus of region lb (4.4) RNA. Both of these loops occur infrequently, with RNAs not generating a loop and mapping between positions 1.1 and 10.6 being the predominant RNAs found in this region.Two single-stranded DNA displacement loop...