Nucleotide sequence of the 26S mRNA of Sindbis virus and deduced sequence of the encoded virus structural proteins.

Abstract

The nucleotide sequence of intracellular 26S mRNA of Sindbis virus was determined by direct sequence analysis of the c[complementary]DNA made to this RNA with reverse transcriptase. From this, the amino acid sequences of the encoded virus structural proteins, which include a basic capsid protein and 2 integral membrane glycoproteins, were deduced. The features of these proteins as related to their functions are discussed. Three proteases are required to produce these proteins from their polyprotein precursor: a viral protease, which functions in the cytosol to release the capsid protein; signalase, which makes 2 cleavages to separate the glycoproteins; and a protease of the Golgi complex that cleaves after double basic residues, to process the precursor form of 1 of the glycoproteins.