Sequence analysis of the non-structural protein 2 from epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses

The non-structural protein 2 (NS2) of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 1 (EHD-1) was cloned and sequenced. The NS2 gene was found to be 1185 bp containing a single open reading frame that encodes a 376 amino acid protein. A 97% nucleic acid identity was found between EHD-1 and a previously published NS2 sequence of EHD-2. Only a 60% nucleic acid identity was found between EHD and the bluetongue virus (BTV) serogroup. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed 97% identity within the EHD serogroup, and less than or equal to 43% identity between serogroups.