A nested set of six or seven subgenomic mRNAs is formed in cells infected with different isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

The subgenomic mRNAs (sg mRNA) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were characterized. The number of sg mRNAs, which form a 3'-coterminal nested set in PRRSV-infected cells, varied from six to seven among PRRSV isolates with differing virulence. The additional species of sg mRNA in some isolates of PRRSV was designated as sg mRNA 3-1. The leader-mRNA junction sequences of sg mRNAs 3, 3-1 and 4 were found to contain a similar six nucleotide sequence motif, U(G)UA(G/C)ACC. By comparing the 5'-terminal sequence of sg mRNA 3-1 with the genomic sequence of two isolates, ISU79 and ISU1894, it was found that a point mutation, from U in isolate ISU1894 to C in isolate ISU79, led to the acquisition of a new leader-mRNA junction sequence (UUGACC) in isolate ISU79, and therefore an additional species of sg mRNA 3-1. A small ORF (3-1) was identified at the 5' end of sg mRNA 3-1.