Fragility of the rhinovirus type 14 genome to incubation at 60 degrees.

Rhinovirus type 14 (RV14) genomic RNA, but not mengovirus or coxsackievirus B3 genomic RNA, fragmented to acid-insoluble RNA species during incubation in aqueous buffers at 60 degrees. Incubation of RV14 genomic RNA in high concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide at 60 degrees did not result in fragmentation, suggesting that fragmentation was not a result of pre-existing nicks. RV14RNA that was treated with proteinase K prior to incubation at 60 degrees did not undergo fragmentation. The association of protein(s) with RV14 virion RNA was demonstrated by radiolabeling with amino acids. These results showed that protein(s) associated with RV14 genomic RNA was in some manner responsible for fragmentation of the RNA during incubation at 60 degrees.