A BACULOVIRUS GENE INVOLVED IN LATE GENE-EXPRESSION PREDICTS A LARGE POLYPEPTIDE WITH A CONSERVED MOTIF OF RNA-POLYMERASES

We have identified and sequenced a novel baculovirus gene, late expres sion factor eight gene (lef-8), of Autographa californica nuclear poly hedrosis virus that is necessary for efficient expression from late an d very late virus gene promoters in a transient expression assay. The predicted gene product, LEF-8, has a molecular mass of 102 kDa and con tains a conserved sequence motif, GXKX(4)HGQ/NKG, found in DNA-directe d RNA polymerases throughout the animal, plant, and microbial kingdoms .