Sequence of 3000 nucleotides at the 5' end of Japanese encephalitis virus RNA

The 5' region of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) RNA was cloned and 3000 nucleotides (nt) were determined by sequencing DNA complementary to viral RNA, and genomic RNA, using oligodeoxynucleotide primers and the dideoxy chain-termination reaction. Comparison of the nt sequence and the reduced amino-acid sequence of JEV with those of other flaviviruses showed significant homologies, which allowed locations to be assigned for three structural proteins.