COMPLETE GENOMIC SEQUENCE OF THE FISH RHABDOVIRUS INFECTIOUS HEMATOPOIETIC NECROSIS VIRUS

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of the fish rhabdovirus infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) has been determined a fter cDNA cloning of the viral genomic RNA. Sequence analysis showed t he presence of six open reading frames encoding the nucleoprotein N, t he matrix proteins M1 and M2, the glycoprotein G, a so-called non-stru ctural protein NV, and the RNA polymerase L. The genome organization i s 3' N-M1-M2-G-NV-L5'. The extreme 5' and 3' ends of the genome were s equenced after RNA ligation or RACE. Prokaryotic expression products o f the open reading frames predicted to encode the matrix proteins M1 a nd M2, the glycoprotein G and the NV protein reacted with rabbit anti- IHNV serum thereby confirming their identity. This is the first comple te nucleotide sequence of a fish rhabdovirus. Knowledge of the complet e sequence is an essential prerequisite for future manipulation of the genome and also serves to provide gene- and protein-specific reagents for use in further examination of the replication of the fish rhabdov iruses.