5' and 3' terminal nucleotide sequences of the RNA genome segments of influenza virus

Abstract

EXtensive nucleotide sequence analysis of the 5' and the 3' terminal of the RNA segments of the genome of fowl plague virus, an avian strain of influenza virus, confirms the presence of a common sequence at the 5' terminus of each segment and a common sequence at the 3' terminus of each segment. Between the ends of each individual segment there is a complementary sequence which may be important in the control of transcription and replication of the genome. In addition, the probable sites of initiation of translation of fowl plague virus mRNA are indicated along with the corresponding NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the virus polypeptides.