Sequence characterization of the matrix protein genes of parainfluenza virus types 4A and 4B.

The complete nucleotide sequences of the matrix protein (M) genes of parainfluenza virus types 4A and 4B (PIV-4A and -4B) were determined from cDNA of the mRNA, and found to be 1548 bases in length, exclusive of poly(A) sequences. The sequences contained a large open reading frame of 1146 nucleotides encoding 362 amino acids. A high degree of identity (96.1%) was observed between the amino acid sequences of PIV-4A and PIV-4B M. These M sequences were compared with those of 10 other paramyxoviruses and a phylogenetic tree was constructed.