MULTIPLE ENLARGEMENTS IN THE RIGHT INVERTED TERMINAL REPEAT OF THE DNA OF CANINE ADENOVIRUS TYPE-2

The Manhattan strain of canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV 2) was examined. Restriction endonuclease analysis and blot hybridization experiments revealed the heterogeneity of the viral DNA. At least 9 unequally expa nded species of the viral genome have been recognized. This diversity is caused by different enlargements in the right inverted terminal rep eat (ITR) of the virus. The differences between the individual enlarge ments were shown to be the different multiples of 150 base pairs. Rela tedness of CAV 2 DNA to the DNA of bovine adenovirus type 2 (BAV 2) an d human adenovirus type 2 (HAV 2) has also been observed during DNA hy bridization experiments.