GENETIC-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOUSE ADENOVIRUS-2 (STRAIN K87) AND HUMAN ADENOVIRUS-2

The DNA of mouse adenovirus strain K87 (MAd-2) was cloned and mapped w ith restriction endonucleases BglII, ClaI, EcoRI, HindIII and SphI. La rge differences were found between the MAd-2 and MAd-1 (strain FL) DNA molecules in terms of number and location of restriction sites. The M Ad-2 genome also appeared as larger in size than the MAd-1 genome (34. 72 kb vs. 30.14 kb). Our results confirm the existence of two distinct adenovirus species in the mouse. Hybridization experiments, on the ot her hand, indicate that both MAd-1 and MAd-2 are genetically related t o human adenovirus type 2 (HAd-2). Overlapping regions of DNA homology are located in genes coding for HAd-2 structural components which cou ld explain serological relationships observed between the human and th e murine adenoviruses.