STRUCTURE, EXPRESSION AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE GLYCOPROTEIN GENE OF COCAL VIRUS

A cDNA copy of the mRNA of the glycoprotein G of Cocal virus, a rhabdo virus, has been cloned, sequenced and expressed in mammalian cells. Th e deduced amino acid sequence shows a typical transmembrane glycoprote in, 512 amino acids in length, containing two potential N-linked glyco sylation sites. The amino acid sequence showed a high degree of identi ty with that of the prototype vesicular stomatitis virus serotype Indi ana [VSV (IND)] G protein. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequence differences among the G proteins of vesiculoviruses ind icated that Cocal virus represents a distinct lineage within the VSV ( IND) serotype. Expression of the cloned Cocal G gene in mammalian cell s produced a glycoprotein of mol.wt 71000 which was not palmitylated b ut induced cell fusion at acid pH. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.