Marc Ysebaert

Complete nucleotide sequence of bacteriophage MS2 RNA: primary and secondary structure of the replicase gene

Bacteriophage MS2 RNA is 3,569 nucleotides long. The nucleotide sequence has been established for the third and last gene, which codes for the replicase protein. A secondary structure model has also been proposed. Biological properties, such as ribosome binding and codon interactions can now be discussed on a molecular basis. As the sequences for the other regions of this RNA have been published already, the complete, primary chemical structure of a viral genome has now been established.

Total nucleotide sequence of a nearly full-size DNA copy of satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA

Abstract pSTNV-1 is a chimera plasmid that contains a nearly full-size double-stranded DNA copy of the satellite tobacco necrosis virus RNA genome (see preceding paper by van Emmelo et al., 1980) and we report here the complete nucleotide sequence of this STNV † DNA insert. The results show that except for 23 nucleotide pairs corresponding to the 5′ end of STNV RNA, a full-size STNV DNA copy is present in pSTNV-1. The total nucleotide sequence of the STNV genome contains 1239 residues. The amino acid sequence of the coat protein can be deduced from the 5′ half of the DNA message strand and shows a rather hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal region and a basic amino-terminal region. The 3′ untranslated part of the viral RNA is 622 nucleotides long. A secondary structure model for the 5′ end showing an interaction with a segment in the 3′ half is proposed. The 3′ end region can be folded into a transfer RNA cloverleaf-like structure with an anticodon for AUG.

COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE OF SV40 DNA

Publisher Summary Simian Virus 40 (SV40) is a eukaryotic system but differs from cellular genetic systems by its compactness. The virus contains apparently superfluous sequences when the virus is propagated under the artificial conditions of the laboratory. The five genes of the SV40 genome are organized on a circular DNA molecule 5224 base pairs long, and all have been localized on the standard physical map of SV40 DNA. The genome of SV40 can be divided into two regions, early and late, each comprising about half of the DNA. All mRNAs are spliced either before, inside, or after the coding region. The expression of its genes calls to mind prokaryotic systems of both positive and negative control.