title: Adeno-associated virus proteins: origin of the capsid components.
abstract: The three primary capsid proteins (A, B, and C) of adeno-associated viruses have been shown previously to contain overlapping amino acid sequences (R. McPherson and J. Rose, J. Virol. 46:523-529, 1983). In the present study we demonstrate definitively that these proteins are encoded in the right half of the adeno-associated virus 2 genome, and one or both of the smallest adeno-associated RNA species (2.3- or 2.6-kilobase RNA) account for their synthesis. Protein A (90 kilodaltons) apparently initiates from a site within the intervening sequence, which is intact in the larger (unspliced) 2.6-kilobase mRNA, and may read through one or more termination codons, including a strong stop signal (UAA) that lies 31 bases downstream from the end of the intervening sequence. Proteins B (72 kilodaltons) and C (60 kilodaltons) are not derived from protein A but apparently originate from independent, in-frame initiations that lie downstream from the splice junction. It thus seems likely that production of the three adeno-associated virus capsid proteins involves at least two mRNA species. The B and C proteins presumably arise from the spliced 2.3-kilobase RNA, whereas protein A should be generated by the 2.6-kilobase RNA or a hitherto unidentified spliced RNA species.
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002213:Capsid / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D005814:Genes, Viral; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes