THE COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE OF A FELINE CALICIVIRUS

We have determined the complete sequence of a feline calicivirus. The virus genome is 7690 bases long and contains two large open reading frames. Proteins specified by these have similarity to those encoded in the corresponding regions of a candidate calicivirus rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, but are distinctly different from those specified by another such virus, hepatitis E virus. A third, small open reading frame at the 3′ end of the genome is present in both feline and rabbit viruses but is absent from hepatitis E. These findings suggest that the calicivirus family, which consists of a single genus, may require subdivision. © 1992.