Detection and localization of a ribonuclease activity associated with vaccinia virus]

A ribonuclease associated with vaccinia virus can be detected when reduced concentrations of nucleotides are used for an in vitro RNA synthesis assay. The non-viral origin of this ribonuclease may be inferred from its external location and from its variable activity on different purified virus stocks. The detection of this ribonuclease activity on purified virus grown without foetal Calf serum may suggest that this enzyme is of cellular origin.