The effect of temperature on the synthesis of rhinovirus type 2 RNA.

The reduced yields of rhinovirus type 2 at temperatures above 37 degrees C were shown to result from the degradation of virus-induced RNA, leaving little RNA available for inclusion into mature infectious virions. The degradation occurred about 6 h p.i., and appeared to be selectively effecting the single-stranded species. Lysosomal nucleases do not appear to have a role in this supra-optimal degradation.