Fiber genes of adenoviruses with tropism for the eye and the genital tract.

We have characterized the fibergenes of adenovirus type 19p (Ad19p), Ad19a, and Ad37 by sequencing. The fiber genes of Ad19a and Ad37 are identical and only five amino acids differ comparing Ad19a/Ad37 with Ad19p. Based on the translated sequences we calculated the isoelectrical points (Ips) and found that the fiber knobs of Ad19p, Ad19a, and Ad37 together with Ad8 display the highest Ips of all so far characterized. Two regions within the fiber knob with unusually basic characteristics have been identified. Sequence alignments revealed that the corresponding regions in other fiber knobs are highly antigenic in pepscan analysis and of importance for hemagglutination. Only two positions differ in the knobs comparing Ad19a/Ad37 with Ad19p. Hence, either of these or both amino acid residues should be expected to be responsible for the observed differences in hemagglutination between Ad19p and Ad19a/Ad37. Moreover, we have found two amino acids (Ala227 and Lys252) that are unique in their respective position in Ad19p, Ad19a, Ad37, and Ad8. Three amino acids (Lys236, Lys240, and Asn251) are unique in their respective position in Ad19a and Ad37, that manifest a tropism for the genital tract. All five amino acids colocalize within one of the two basic regions.