Envelope gene sequence variation among Japanese encephalitis viruses isolated in Korea

The nucleotide (nt) sequences of the envelope (E) gene of 4 Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) isolates from Korea (K82PO1, K87P39, K91P55 and K94PO5) were determined and the deduced amino acid (aa) sequences were compared within themselves and with the published sequences of 16 other JEV strains originating from other parts of Asia. Homologies of 87.2 - 95.6% at the nt level and 95.8 - 98.0% at the aa level among the Korean JEV isolates were found. aa positions 89, 129, 220, 225, 327, 366, 456 and 477 characterized the Korean isolates. According to the phylogenetic analysis based on the E gene nt sequence, the Korean isolates formed distinct subgroup consisting of at least 2 genetic types.