Effect of N on global RNA structure. (A) A full-length, radioactively labeled S segment RNA was either untreated, treated with N, or HIV-1 Gag as described in the text, sedimented on 10%–60% sucrose gradients, and RNA was detected by scintillation counting. (•) Untreated RNA, (▵) heat treated RNA, (□) N-treated RNA, (○) RNA treated with HIV-1 Gag. Similar results were obtained in three independent experiments. (B) RNA containing a deletion of the 3′ nucleotides such that normal panhandle formation would be blocked. (C) Nonviral RNA. (D) The fluorescence spectra of 120 nM of acridine orange is shown: (1) in the absence of RNA, (2) the presence of 95 pM SNV S segment RNA from sucrose gradient peak 1, (3) peak 2, (4) from thermally denatured and renatured RNA, (5) from N treated RNA, or (6) from HIV-1 Gag-treated RNA sample.
