Nucleotide sequences from the 3'-ends of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's as determined from cloned DNA

Abstract

Molecular clones of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA9s were used to determine the 39-terminal sequences of mRNA9s encoding the N and NS proteins. This new approach to VSV mRNA sequencing allowed the first comparison of 39-terminal sequences. The sequences showed a tetranucleotide homology, UAUG, immediately preceding the polyadenylic acid. In addition, both mRNA9s had an AU-rich region including the tetranucleotide AUAU at positions 16 to 19 nucleotides from the polyadenylic acid. A possible secondary structure between the 39 end of N mRNA and the 59 end of the adjacent NS mRNA is noted. These structural features may serve as signals for termination (or cleavage) and polyadenylation of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA9s. Neither mRNA had the polyadenylic acidproximal hexanucleotide, AAUAAA, found in eucaryotic cellular and viral mRNA9s transcribed from nuclear DNA. The probable location of the translation termination codon for the NS protein is only six nucleotides from polyadenylic acid in NS mRNA. Images