Nucleotide sequence analysis of the long terminal repeat of murine virus-like DNA (VL30) and its adjacent sequences: resemblance to retrovirus proviruses.

VL30 DNA represents a retrovirus-like multigene family of mice whose genetic origin is unknown. We have now determined the primary nucleotide sequences and the adjacent sequences of the long terminal direct repeats (LTRs) possessed by a randomly selected VL30 unit. The LTR of the VL30 unit comprised 435 nucleotide base pairs and had an inverted repeat of five bases at its 5' and 3' termini. At the joints with flanking mouse DNA was the VL30 sequence (5')TG . . . CA(3') and a tetranucleotide direct repeat of flanking sequences. At the inner boundary of the 5' LTR was an 18-base sequence that is complementary to tRNApro, and at the inner boundary of the 3' LTR was a purine-rich tract ending with AATG. These results suggested that VL30 DNA used the same integration strategy that is exercised by retrovirus proviruses and transposable elements and that the VL30 LTR is synthesized in a similar way that the LTR of retroviruses is synthesized. The data thus reinforce the retrovirus-like nature of VL30 genetic information.