title: Structure of the genome termini of varicella-zoster virus.
abstract: The DNA molecule of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is represented structurally as L-S, where L is a unique sequence and S is a unique sequence flanked by an inverted repeat. S may be present in either orientation in virion DNA molecules, but, to date, L has been found in only one orientation. DNA sequences were determined at the L-S joint and genome termini, which were cloned using methods designed to conserve either the 3' or 5' terminal nucleotide. Molecular hybridization experiments and analysis of the sequences showed that: the genome is not terminally redundant; the unique sequence in L is flanked by an inverted repeat of 88.5 base pairs; a single unpaired nucleotide is located at each 3' terminus of the genome, such that fusion of the termini would produce a sequence identical to that at the L-S joint; approx. 5% of virions contain genomes with L inverted. The implications of these results in possible mechanisms for VZV DNA replication are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D004261:DNA Replication; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005814:Genes, Viral; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D010957:Plasmids; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes