[RNA content and antigenicity of polioviruses before and after inactivation by heating].

The question of a possible relationship between the RNA content of poliovirus and its reactivity as N- or H-antigen was examined with double-labeled virus preparations (32P-RNA, 14C-Protein). The following results were obtained: 1. Complete virus particles containing RNA may be N- or H-reactive. 2. Heat inactivation of poliovirus causes dissociation of capsid and RNA. 3. Under certain experimental conditions of thermal inactivation, the N/H conversion preceeds RNase sensitivity of viral RNA. The results lead to the conclusion that during thermal inactivation N/H conversion is independent of the presence of RNA in the particles and that it preceeds the dissociation of viral RNA and viral capsid.