The sequence of the N and L genes of rinderpest virus, and the 5' and 3' extra-genic sequences: the completion of the genome sequence of the virus.

We have sequenced the nucleocapsid (N) and polymerase (L) genes of the vaccine strain of rinderpest, and the 5' and 3' terminal domains of the genome. Together with previously published data, this completes the sequence of the entire genome of rinderpest virus. The L gene is identical in length to that of measles virus, encoding a 2183 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 248,100. The L protein sequence of three morbilliviruses is highly conserved, greater than 76% of residues being identical or conserved in all sequences. The N protein was, as for other sequenced genes, essentially identical to that of the virulent parent. The viral genome is 15,881 bases in length, similar to that of measles virus and slightly longer than that of canine distemper virus. The terminal sequences of the genome and those at the gene boundaries were compared to the analogous regions of other morbilliviruses and representatives of related groups of paramyxoviruses.