GENOME SEGMENT-5 OF RICE RAGGED STUNT VIRUS ENCODES A VIRION PROTEIN

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome segment 5 (S5) of a Tha i isolate of rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV) was determined, The 2682 n ucleotide sequence contains a single long open reading frame capable o f encoding a polypeptide with a molecular mass of similar to 91 kDa. P olypeptides encoded by various truncated cDNAs of S5 were expressed us ing the pGEX fusion protein vector and the highest level of fusion pro tein was obtained from a construct encoding a hydrophilic region of S5 protein. Antibodies raised against this fusion protein recognized a m inor polypeptide, with a molecular mass of similar to 91 kDa, that was present in purified preparations of RRSV particles, infected insect v ectors and infected rice plants. This indicates that RRSV S5 encodes a minor structural protein. Comparing the RRSV S5 sequence with sequenc es of other reoviruses did not reveal any significant sequence similar ities.