MOLECULAR COMPARISON OF DENGUE TYPE-1 MOCHIZUKI STRAIN VIRUS AND OTHER SELECTED VIRUSES CONCERNING NUCLEOTIDE AND AMINO-ACID-SEQUENCES OF GENOMIC RNA - A CONSIDERATION OF VIRAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND VARIATION

Dengue-1 (D1) Mochizuki strain was examined for its nucleotide and ami no acid sequences of genomic RNA and the data obtained were compared w ith those of other selected virus strains reported previously. Genomic regions corresponding to C, preM and M proteins were the major subjec ts of study. Parts of E protein were additionally examined. Among the D1 viruses investigated, the Mochizuki virus which was isolated in 194 3 in Japan was shown to be close to Philippine 836-1 strain isolated i n 1984 and Nauru Island strain isolated in 1974 at the respective plac es, in contrast with Thai AHF 82-80 strain isolated in 1980 and Caribb ean CV1636/77 strain isolated in 1977. At the same time, a difference was noted between the Mochizuki and Philippine/Nauru strains at the cl eavage site of preM/M junction: Mochizuki possessed RRGKR/S sequence w hereas the Philippine/Nauru had RRDKR/S. The glycosylation site in pre M and hydrophobic regions at the carboxyl termini of M and E were well conserved. Significances of the data are discussed in connection with viral epidemiology and variation.