title: Measles virus P gene codes for two proteins.
abstract: The entirety of the phosphoprotein gene of measles virus has been sequenced. The gene is composed of 1,657 nucleotides and specifies a 507-amino-acid protein (P). A second overlapping reading frame was predicted from the sequence and specifies a 186-amino-acid protein (C). Through the use of antisynthetic peptide antibodies, we show that both proteins are expressed in virally infected cells. Both proteins are expressed from a functionally bicistronic mRNA through independent initiation of ribosomes at the respective AUG codons. Using immunofluorescent microscopy, we localized the C protein in the nucleus and in cytoplasmic inclusions within the infected cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D003062:Codon; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005796:Genes; D005814:Genes, Viral; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D003062:Codon; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014764:Viral Proteins