Cell-Free Circularization of Viroid Progeny RNA by an RNA Ligase from Wheat Germ

Abstract

Linear, potato spindle tuber viroid RNA has been used as a substrate for an RNA ligase purified from wheat germ. Linear viroid molecules are efficiently converted to circular molecules (circles) which are indistinguishable by electrophoretic mobility and two-dimensional oligonucleotide pattern from viroid circles extracted from infected plants. In light of recent evidence for multimeric viroid replication intermediates, cleavage followed by RNA ligation by a cellular enzyme may (i) be a normal step in the viroid life cycle and (ii) may also reflect cellular events.