FIG. 2.

Location of the 5′ start of RNA transcription for VZV gene 21. Total RNA (5 μg) from either VZV-infected (lanes V) or uninfected (lanes C) BSC-1 cells was annealed to oligonucleotide primer 21pel, 21pe2, or 21pe3 end labeled with ³²P (Table 1). First-strand cDNA was synthesized, and the extended product was resolved by gel electrophoresis. The DNA sequence of the SalI C fragment of VZV DNA primed with the respective oligonucleotides was used to size the cDNA products. The entire gel image as well as an enlargement of the region containing extended products is shown. With all three primers, the cDNA product obtained from VZV-infected cell RNA (closed arrows in lanes V) terminated at the identical adenosine located at nt 30681 on the VZV genome. Minor extended products obtained from VZV-infected cell RNA (open arrows in lanes V) were also observed. No product was observed when uninfected cell RNA was used in the cDNA synthesis reaction (lanes C).