Sequence determination of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus L segment

Virology. 2004 Mar 30;321(1):23-8. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2003.09.046.

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is highly pathogenic for humans and remains the only Category A virus for which full sequence information is currently unavailable. In this study we completed CCHF genome characterization by determining the L segment sequence using Dugbe and CCHF virus-specific oligonucleotides. Sequence alignments revealed the presence of four previously described conserved regions in all Bunyaviridae polymerases. Interestingly, additional regions containing putative Ovarian Tumor (OTU)-like cysteine protease and helicase domains were identified in the L segments of CCHF and Dugbe viruses, suggesting an autoproteolytic cleavage process for nairovirus L proteins.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / classification
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / enzymology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • RNA Helicases / genetics
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • RNA Helicases