SEQUENCE OF THE HINDIII T-FRAGMENT OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS, WHICH ENCODES A DNA HELICASE

The DNA sequence of the HindIII T fragment of human cytomegalovirus strain AD169 has been determined. This 6225 bp sequence has been analysed for transcription signals and probable open reading frames. Similarities with herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus and Epstein-Barr virus genes were observed for three of the predicted open reading frames; a virion protein and a unique DNA helicase are believed to be the functional products of two of these open reading frames. Two other open reading frames are novel in that no homologues could be found, either in the known herpesvirus sequences or in the Protein Identification Resource database. Both of these open reading frames also lie in the genomic coding region of a 5.0 kb RNA which is transcribed throughout the infectious cycle.