Complete intergenic and flanking gene sequences from the genome of vesicular stomatitis virus

Important features of VSV mRNA structure, including the location of a secondary ribosome binding site at an out-of-frame AUG codon in the N mRNA and the sequences of the M and G mRNAs preceding their ribosomal binding sites, are considered.

Abstract

Plasmids containing vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNA sequences were used to obtain sequences corresponding to the 3′ termini of VSV mRNAs and to generate primers that were used to sequence through the genomic RNA regions joining the NS, M, G and L genes. Together with the sequence of the N-NS junction ( McGeoch, 1979 McGeoch D.J. Cell. 1979; 17: 673-681 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar ) these results provide the complete set of VSV intergenic and flanking gene sequences. Extensive homologies were found among the four junctions of the five VSV genes. These regions have the common structure (3′)AUACUUUUUUUNAUUGUCNNUA(5′), in which N indicates three variable positions in the 23 nucleotide sequence. The first eleven nucleotides of this sequence are complementary to the sequence (5′)…UAUGAAAAAA…(3′) which occurs at the mRNA-poly(A) junction in each mRNA. These sequences presumably signal polyadenylation of each mRNA. Dinucleotide spacers (CA or GA) whose complements do not appear in the mRNAs follow the polyadenylation signals and constitute the intergenic regions. Immediately after these dinucleotides are the sequences complementary to the 5′ terminal sequences on each mRNA, (5′)AACAGNNAUC(3′). Transcription events at these junctions, and the locations of possible promoter sequences preceding them, are discussed in terms of models of VSV transcription. Important features of VSV mRNA structure, including the location of a secondary ribosome binding site at an out-of-frame AUG codon in the N mRNA and the sequences of the M and G mRNAs preceding their ribosome binding sites, are also considered.