Nucleotide sequence of the rubella virus capsid protein gene reveals an unusually high G/C content

Abstract

The nucleotide sequence of the rubella virus capsid protein (C) gene has been determined from a cDNA clone derived from the 40S genomic RNA. The sequence covers the coding region of the C protein (831 nucleotides), 70 nucleotides of the 5' untranslated region, and the 5' end of the downstream E2 membrane protein gene. The capsid gene is unusually rich in C (41.6%) and G (31.2%) residues (G + C 72.8%), and poor in A (15.4%) and U residues (11.8%). There are regions with long runs of up to 45% C or 35% G residues. The codon usage is non-random, with a strong preference for C and G residues in the third position. Starting from two in-frame AUG codons (seven amino acid residues apart) an open reading frame (ORF) was identified that extended in frame into the ORF coding for the downstream E2 membrane protein gene. Since the amino terminus of the capsid protein is blocked, we could not determine which of the AUGs serve as the initiating codon. To verify that the deduced ORF was correct, we have determined the amino acid sequence of 13 tryptic peptides corresponding to one-third of the C protein. Our data show that the C protein is about 277 residues in length (Mr about 30750). It is very hydrophilic and rich in prolines (14.1%) and arginines (14.4%). Clusters of these amino acids are concentrated in the amino-terminal third of the C protein. No sequence homology to the capsid protein of several alphaviruses was observed. Together with our previous sequence data we have now completed the sequence of the genes coding for the structural proteins C, E2 and E1 of rubella virus.