Sendai virus contains overlapping genes expressed from a single mRNA.
The mRNA coding for the Sendai virus P and C proteins was located on the viral genome using cloned DNA and the relevant regions of the DNA were sequenced. The nucleotide sequence revealed two overlapping open reading frames that could code for proteins of 568 and 204 amino acids. Primer extension and S1 nuclease mapping studies detected only a single 1.894 kb mRNA from this region. Hybrid arrest of translation studies using restriction fragments verified the overlapping nature of these genes. Sequence homologies at the beginning of three Sendai virus cistrons suggest that these genes may have arisen by duplication from a common ancestor, possibly an influenza-like virus gene.
D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D005814:Genes, Viral; D010222:Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014764:Viral Proteins