SEQUENCE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE 5'-NONCODING REGION OF GB VIRUS-C HEPATITIS-G VIRUS

The nucleotide sequences of the 5' noncoding region of the GE virus C/ hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) were determined in 18 isolates from the United States, Two genotyges have been classified based on the sequenc e heterogeneity within the 5' noncoding region of GBV-V/HGV. The most distantly related isolates between the two genotypes were 84.6% identi cal, Sequence identity of the isolates within a genotype was 95-99%, T he 5' noncoding region of this virus contains four highly conserved do mains, These conserved elements would facilitate the selection of opti mal primers for the sensitive detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA by PCR, In ad dition, they suggest a crucial role for this region in viral replicati on and/or gene expression. Detection of viral replication and/or gene expression. Detection of variation among GBV-C/HGV infected individual s may provide further insight into the possible pathogenicity and into the transmission of the virus. (C) 1997 Academic Press.