The nucleotide sequence of the early region of the Tupaia adenovirus DNA corresponding to the oncogenic region E1b of human adenovirus 7.

The nucleotide sequence of the early region E1b of the tree shrew (Tupaia) adenovirus (TAV) DNA has been determined. The sequenced region includes the genes for polypeptides of Mr 15 000, 44 000 and 13 400, which are analogous to the small and large E1b proteins and protein IX, respectively, of the three human adenovirus serotypes 5, 7, and 12. The hexanucleotide consensus signal AATAAA occurs only at the 3' terminus of the gene for protein IX suggesting that the E1 region of TAV encompasses one transcription unit. The amino acid sequences of the TAV polypeptides have a higher degree of homology to those of Ad7 and Ad5 than to those of Ad12.