[Study of the structure-function organization of the variola virus genome. IV. Sequencing and analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the right terminus of the India-1967 strain genome]

Abstract

Sequencing and computer analysis of the variola major virus strain India-1967 (VAR-IND) genome segment (53,018 bp) from the right terminal region have been carried out. Fifty nine potential open reading frames (ORFs) of over 60 amino acid residues have been identified. Structure-function organization of VAR-IND DNA segment under study was compared with the previously reported sequences from the analogous genomic regions of vaccinia virus strains Copenhagen (VAC-COP) and Western Reserve (VAC-WR) and variola virus strain Harvey (VAR-HAR). Multiple distinctions in the genetic map of VAR-IND from VAC-COP and VAC-WR have been revealed along with the high similarity to the corresponding VAR-HAR segment. Possible functions of the predicted viral proteins and the effect of their differences on the features of orthopoxviruses are discussed.