The hepatitis delta (delta) virus possesses a circular RNA.

Abstract

Hepatitis delta (delta) virus (HDV), a satellite virus of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), causes a severe form of viral hepatitis in humans. Here we present evidence based on electron microscopy and electrophoretic behaviour that HDV contains a single stranded circular RNA molecule. This is the first animal virus identified with a circular RNA genome. Circular RNAs have only been found in plant viruses. We have obtained a partial complementary DNA clone representing approximately 25% of the total genome of HDV. Analysis of this cDNA revealed similarity to two plant viruses that may explain the origin of the virus.

• Authors: A Kos, R Dijkema, A C Arnberg, P H van der Meide, H Schellekens
• Journal: Nature (Nature) 1986 Oct 9-15 Vol. 323 Issue 6088 Pg. 558-60 ISSN: 0028-0836 [Print] England
• PMID: 2429192 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• RNA, Circular
• RNA, Viral
• RNA
• DNA

Topics

• Base Sequence
• Cloning, Molecular
• DNA (genetics)
• Hepatitis Delta Virus (genetics)
• Microscopy, Electron
• RNA
• RNA, Circular
• RNA, Viral (genetics)
• Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid