Structure and nucleotide sequence of the terminal regions of adeno-associated virus DNA.

Both of the ends of adeno-associated virus (AAV) DNA contain regions which are capable of rapidly reforming duplex structures after denaturation, suggesting the presence of a terminal symmetrical sequence. These regions are estimated to involve at most the terminal 4% of the DNA. The nucleotide sequence of each 5′ end is found to be predominately either TTGGCCA (35%) or TGGCCA (50%). Sequence data for the 3′ terminal consistent with the 5′ data are also presented.