ANALYSIS OF THE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE OF 53-KBP FROM THE RIGHT TERMINUSOF THE GENOME OF VARIOLA-MAJOR VIRUS-STRAIN INDIA-1967

Sequencing and computer analysis of a variola major virus strain India -1967 (VAR-IND) genome segment (53,018 bp) from the right terminal reg ion has been carried out. Fifty-nine potential open reading frames (OR Fs) of over 60 amino acid residues were identified. Structure-function organization of the VAR-IND DNA segment was compared with the previou sly reported sequences from the analogous genomic regions of vaccinia virus strains Copenhagen (VAC-COP) and Western Reserve (VAC-WR) and va riola virus strain Harvey (VAR-HAR). Multiple differences between VAR- IND and the strains of VAC but the high identity of VAR-IND with VAR-H AR in the genetic maps are revealed. Possible functions of the predict ed viral proteins and the effect of their differences on the features of orthopoxviruses are discussed.