ANALYSIS OF THE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE OF 23.8 KBP FROM THE LEFT TERMINUS OF THE GENOME OF VARIOLA MAJOR VIRUS-STRAIN INDIA-1967

Sequencing and computer analysis of the nucleotide sequence of variola major virus strain India-1967 (VAR-MD) DNA segment (23 786 bp) coveri ng the left variable region of the viral genome has been carried out. Twenty-nine potential open reading frames were identified. Structure-f unction organization of the VAR-IND DNA segment was compared with prev iously reported sequences from analogous genome regions of vaccinia vi rus strains Copenhagen (VAC-COP) and Western Reserve (VAC-WR). Multipl e structural differences between the VAR-IND and genome regions were a nalysed and both VAC-COP and VAC-WR have been found. Possible molecula r factors of virulence, virus host range genes as well as differences revealed in the structure of these genes of VAR and VAC will be discus sed.