| Abstract: | The complete nucleotide sequence of the mRNA of the matrix (M) protein of vesicular stomatitis virus New Jersey serotype, VSV(NJ)] was derived from a cDNA clone and mRNA. The mRNA is 758 nucleotides long (excluding polyadenylic acid) and encodes a protein of 229 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence was compared with that of the corresponding protein of Indiana serotype VSV(IND)] and a fish rhabdovirus, spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV). An amino acid identity of 62% was found between the M proteins of VSV(NJ) and VSV(IND) while only 24% was present between VSV(NJ) and SVCV. A highly basic NH2-terminal domain followed by a proline-proline-X-tyrosine sequence was present in all the three M polypeptides. Except for the L gene sequence, the complete nucleotide sequence of the four genes of VSV(NJ) are now known. The comparison of the amino acid sequences between the Indiana and New Jersey serotypes demonstrates a high degree of homology between these genes except for the phosphoprotein gene, NS. |
