COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCES OF MARBURG VIRUS GENE-5 AND GENE-6 ENCODING VP30 AND VP24 PROTEINS

Nucleotide sequences of the genes 5 and 6 of the Marburg virus, Popp s train, were determined. ORFs encoding polypeptides VP30 (281 a.a., MW 32,640) and VP24 (253 a.a., MW 28,621) were found. The putative transc ription start and stop signals for viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase were revealed for both genes. Overlapping of genes 5 and 6 was shown. The deduced amino acid sequences of VP30 and VP24 proteins displayed s ignificant homology with the analogous proteins of another filovirus, the Ebola virus (33% and 37%, respectively). The VP24 appeared to have a hydrophobic amino acid composition; content of hydrophobic amino ac ids was 40,7%. Model of VP24 location in the virion was suggested.