Transcription of the Influenza Ribonucleic Acid Genome by a Virion Polymerase III. Completeness of the Transcription Process

The virion ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase of influenza strain A(0)/WS transcribed at least 81% of the viral genome in vitro. The polymerase is shown to be associated with each of the major size classes of the virion RNA-ribonucleoprotein complexes. Under optimal in vitro conditions, at least 45% of the RNA contained in a population of influenza virions was involved in a repetitive transcription process. The detectable proteins associated with enzymatically active complexes containing RNA, ribonucleoprotein, and polymerase have been identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.