Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the S1 genome segment of turkey-origin reoviruses.

Based on previous reports characterizing the turkey-origin avian reovirus (TRV) sigmaB (sigma2) major outer capsid protein gene, the TRVs may represent a new group within the fusogenic orthoreoviruses. However, no sequence data from other TRV genes or genome segments has been reported. The sigmaC protein encoded by the avian reovirus S1 genome segment is the cell attachment protein and a major antigenic determinant for avian reovirus. The chicken reovirus S1 genome segment is well characterized and is well conserved in viruses from that species. This report details the amplification, cloning and sequencing of the entire S1 genome segment from two and the entire coding sequences of the sigmaC, p10 and p17 genes from an additional five TRVs. Sequence analysis reveals that of the three proteins encoded by the TRV S1 genome segment, sigmaC shares at most 57% amino acid identity with sigmaC from the chicken reovirus reference strain S1133, while the most similar p10 and p17 proteins share 72% and 61% identity, respectively, with the corresponding S1133 proteins. The most closely related mammalian reovirus, the fusogenic Nelson Bay reovirus, encodes a sigmaC protein that shares from 25% to 28% amino acid identity with the TRV sigmaC proteins. This report supports the earlier suggestion that the TRVs are a separate virus species within the Orthoreovirus genus, and may provide some insight into TRV host specificity and pathogenesis.