TYPING OF LACROSSE, SNOWSHOE HARE, AND TAHYNA VIRUSES BY ANALYSES OF SINGLE-STRAND CONFORMATION POLYMORPHISMS OF THE SMALL RNA SEGMENTS

Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis was developed to differentiate the small RNA segments of three California serogroup bunyaviruses. The small RNA segments of La Crosse, snowshoe hare, and Tahyna viruses were reverse transcribed and PCR amplified. The cDNAs were then denatured, rapidly chilled to promote intrastrand reassociation, separated electrophoretically on a nondenaturing gel at room temperature, and silver stained, The resulting single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns were specific for the respective viruses. This molecular technique offers great potential for virus typing and taxonomic studies.