Nudeotide sequence of reovinu genome segment S

This report desoribes the complete nudeotide sequence of human reovirus (Dearing strain) genome segment S3. Previous studies indicated that this RNA encodes the major non-structural viral polypeptlde sigma NS, a protein that binds ssRNAs (Huisman 4 Joklik, Virology 70, 411-421, 1976) and has a poly(C)dependent poly(G) polymerase aotivity (Gomatos e_t al., J. Virol. 2£, 115-124, 1981). The genome segment consists of 1,198 nuoleotldes and possesses an open reading frame that extends 366 codons from the first AUG triplet (residues 2830). There is no significant sequenoe homology between the plus strand of genome segment S3 and that of genome segment S2 determined previously (Cashdollar et al., PNAS 79, 7644-7648, 1982). However, S3 RNA has significant dyad symmetry and regions that can potentially hybridize (AG = -26 KCal/mole) with S2 RNA. From the predicted amlno acid sequenoe a possible secondary structure for sigma NS protein vas determined. Structural features of reovirus RNA and sigma NS are discussed in relation to their role(s) in viral genome assembly.