Objective: To sequence PrM and E gene of the Japanese encephalitis virus isolated from Gansu province in 2008 and analysis the genotype of new JEV isolates and the molecular characterization of E gene.
Methods: Computer software was used to analyze nucleic acid sequence and deduced amino acid sequence, and draw phylogenetic trees, including ClustalX2.09, MegAlign and Mega4.
Results: The six JEV strains were clustered in genotype I. 87.5%-87.9% identity in nucleotide sequence and 96.8%-97.2% identity in amino acid sequence were found in E gene when compared with the vaccine strain SA14-14-2. Eleven common amino acid differences were observed in E protein between new isolates and the vaccine strain.
Conclusion: Genotype I JEVs were isolated from mosquitoes collected in Gansu province. The amino acid difference occurred in sites that were not the key ones affecting the antigenic of JEV.