The primary structure of red clover mottle virus middle component RNA.

The primary structure of middle component RNA of red clover mottle virus (RCMV) has been determined. The RNA is polyadenylated, has a small protein (VPg) covalently linked to its 5' terminus and consists of 3543 nucleotides. The RNA possesses a single long open reading frame which can code for a polypeptide of molecular weight 109,452. Comparison of the 3' terminal sequence of the M RNA with that of the homologous B RNA reveals a high degree of sequence conservation in this area. Computer-assisted comparisons show that the polypeptides encoded by the M RNAs of RCMV and CPMV (cowpea mosaic virus) are highly homologous implying that the two viruses have a common genetic structure.