Intracellular RNA Expressed in Black Beetle Virus-infected Drosophila Cells

Black beetle virus replicates in Drosophila cells with the synthesis of virus-specific RNA and protein being detected as early as 2 h post-infection and continuing for at least 48 h. Shut-off of host synthesis did not occur in infected cells until 8 to 10 h post-infection. Examination of the RNA from infected cells on denaturing gels or on agarose/acrylamide gels demonstrated the production of four RNA species not found in uninfected cells. Two of these species, being single-stranded, co-migrated with the virion RNA and the other two were the double-stranded replicative stages of the virion RNA. No additional RNA species were found in infected cells, either in the presence or absence of actinomycin D.