Genetic analysis of aquareoviruses using RNA-RNA blot hybridization.

The relative mobility of the 11 dsRNA genomic segments of 19 Aquareovirus isolates from fish and shellfish were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This study revealed distinct variations of electrophoretic profiles (electropherotypes) of many aquareovirus isolates. No correlation was observed between the electropherotype and the species from which the isolates were obtained, but there was correlation with the geographic site of isolation. Using reciprocal RNA-RNA dot blot hybridization under high-, medium-, and low-stringency conditions five different genetic groups (genogroups) could be established (designated A through E). RNA-RNA hybridization showed that segment 10, the genome segment that codes for the major outer capsid protein, was the most variable gene. No genetic relationship was observed between these aquareoviruses and rotaviruses in groups A and C.