M. Glenn et al., Nucleotide sequence of UK and Australian isolates of feline calicivirus (FCV) and phylogenetic analysis of FCVs, VET MICROB, 67(3), 1999, pp. 175-193
We have determined the first complete genome sequence and capsid gene seque
nces of feline calicivirus (FCV) isolates from the UK and Australia. These
were compared with other previously published sequences. The viruses used i
n the comparisons were isolated between 1957 and 1995 from various geograph
ical locations and obtained from cats showing a range of clinical signs. De
spite these diverse origins, comparisons between all strains showed a simil
ar degree of sequence variation within both ORF1 (non-structural polyprotei
n) and ORF2 (major capsid protein) (amino acid distances of 7.7-13.0% and 8
.8-18.6%, respectively). In contrast, ORF3 (putative minor structural prote
in) sequences indicated a more heterogenous distribution of FCV relatedness
(amino acid distances of 1.9-17.9%). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that,
unlike some other caliciviruses, FCV isolates within the current data set
fall into one diverse genogroup. Within this group, there was an overall la
ck of geographic or temporal clustering which may be related to the epidemi
ology of FCV infection in cats. Analysis of regions of variability in the g
enome has shown that, as well as the previously identified variable regions
in ORF2, similar domains exist within ORFs 1 and 3 also, although to a les
ser extent. In ORF1, these variable domains largely fall between the putati
ve nonstructural protein functional domains. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.
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