Assignment of the genome segments of bluetongue virus type 1 to the proteins which they encode.

The purified genomic dsRNA of bluetongue virus type 1 (BTV 1) was separated into 10 size classes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These genome segments were recovered individually from the gel, denatured with methylmercuric hydroxide and translated in vitro in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. The virus-specific proteins synthesised in vitro were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with proteins from purified virus particles and cores and with virus-specified proteins synthesized in BHK 21 cells (in vivo). The identify of those BTV 1 proteins synthesized in vivo and in vitro which showed similar electrophoretic mobilities, was confirmed by electrophoretic analysis of their partial protease digests. The results of these experiments have allowed the assignment of each of the genome segments of BTV 1 to the protein(s) which it encodes and consequently to the structural and nonstructural proteins found in the infected cell.