Nucleotide sequence of the EcoRI D fragment of adenovirus 2 genome

The entire nucleotide sequence of the Ad. 2 EcoRI D fragment has been determined using the Maxam and Gilbert method. This sequence of 2678 bp contains informations relative to late mRNAs ending at position 78 and for which an AATAAA sequence corresponding to their 3' ends is found at residue number 833. Position of the PVIII mRNA is determined thus allowing deduction of the probable amino acid sequence of the PVIII protein. The position and the sequence of the first leader of early 3 mRNAs is determined as well as the sequence and position of the second early leader of region 3 mRNAs, which also correspond to the "y" leader of the fiber mRNA. Following the localization of an open reading frame in which an ATG could initiate protein synthesis it can be predicted that 3a, b, c mRNAs code for the 16K early protein and the probable amino acid sequence of this protein can be deduced. The CAGTTT sequence frequently present at the 5' end of a leader or of a mRNA body as well as the GGTGAG sequence which is found at the 3' end of several leaders were used to postulate the position of various early mRNAs of region 3 and to suggest the existence of an additional splicing event during the processing of mRNAs 3a, b and c. They were also used to predict the position of the additional "x" late leaders. The imbrication of information concerning (i) the family of late mRNAs ending at position 78, (ii) the position of the "x" leader and the "y" leader and (iii) the beginning of early region 3 is also depicted.