title: RNA recombination of coronavirus.
abstract: We have previously shown that Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) can undergo RNA-RNA recombination at a very high frequency (S. Makino, et al., J. Virol. 57, 729-737, 1986). To better define the mechanism of RNA recombination, we have performed additional crosses involving different MHV strains. We have obtained recombinant viruses with multiple cross-overs. The isolation of such recombinants further indicates the high frequency of coronavirus RNA recombination. By using cell fusion as a selection marker, we have also obtained recombinants between MHV-2 and A59 strains. Some of these recombinants have cross-overs in the 3'-end genes of the genome, thus demonstrating that recombination could occur along the entire genome. Finally, we have obtained recombinants by selecting with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. These recombinants have cross-overs within gene C which encodes the peplomer protein. The genetic structure of these recombinants allowed us to determine the important domains of the peplomer proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Keck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Soe
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stohlman
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000235:genetics*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral