Biophysical and Biochemical Studies of Pichinde Virus

Pichinde virus, a member of the arenavirus group, was found to contain single-stranded RNA. The RNA consisted of 5 discernible components corresponding to 31S, 28S, 22S, 18S and 4 to 6S. The 28S and 18S RNA’s appeared to be of host cell origin and the 4 to 6S RNA was probably from the same source. The 31S and 22S RNA’s appeared to be components which coded for viral products. The virus was found to contain 4 structural polypeptides. Two were glycopeptides and 2 were polypeptides. One polypeptide (VI) and 1 glycopeptide (VII) remained associated with the viral RNA after treating the virus with nonionic detergent, while the other glycopeptide (VIII) was removed with such treatment. VIV was a minor peptide and its fate following treatment of the virus with nonionic detergent could not be determined.