Gene and mRNA for precursor polypeptide VI from adenovirus type 2

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Virology
• Genetics

Background:

• Adenoviruses are DNA viruses with complex gene expression.
• Understanding viral protein synthesis is crucial for virology research.
• Polypeptide VI (pVI) is a key component of adenovirus virions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the DNA sequence encoding adenovirus type 2 precursor polypeptide VI (pVI).
• To analyze the genetic relationship between pVI and the hexon gene.
• To investigate the structure and expression of late adenovirus genes.

Main Methods:

• DNA sequencing of adenovirus type 2.
• Analysis of protein sequences and molecular weights.
• Identification of gene regulatory elements and splice sites.

Main Results:

• The complete gene for precursor polypeptide VI (pVI) from adenovirus type 2 DNA was sequenced (1,040 base pairs).
• pVI is a 250-amino acid precursor, proteolytically cleaved to mature polypeptide VI (23,400 MW).
• pVI and hexon genes share a reading frame, suggesting evolutionary linkage; novel polypeptides encoded by L2 region identified.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest pVI and hexon evolved from a fused ancestral polypeptide.
• A conserved late adenovirus consensus acceptor site is involved in pVI mRNA processing.
• The L2 region of adenovirus type 2 encodes multiple novel polypeptides.