Complete genomic sequence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, a fish rhabdovirus

The complete nucleotide sequence of the fish rhabdovirus viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) has been determined. The genome comprises 11158 bas es and contains six long open reading frames encoding the nucleoprotein N, phosphoprotein P, matrix protein M, glycoprotein G, nonstructural viral pro tein NV, and polymerase L. Genes are arranged in the order 3'-N-P-M-G-NV-L- 5'. The exact 3' and 5' ends were determined after RNA-oligonucleotide liga tion or RACE. They show inverse complementarity as in other rhabdovirus gen omes. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences exhibit significant homol ogy to corresponding sequences in the related fish rhabdovirus infectious h ematopoietic necrosis virus.