Genome organisation and genetic relationships among the morbilliviruses

Measles virus (MV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) cDNA clones have been used to study the morbillivirus group of the Paramyxoviridae. Strong nucleotide homology has been shown to exist between the N genes of MV and CDV and between the P genes of all members of the group. Each member of the group induces similar mRNA species on infection in Vero cells and their order on the genome can be deduced by analysis of the bicistronic mRNAs produced by readthrough of the mRNAs. Recently, the coding function of the mRNAs has been demonstrated and the gene order shown to be 3' N-P/C-M-F-H-L-5 ', similar to that found in other paramyxoviruses.