Nucleotide sequences from the 3'-ends of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's as determined from cloned DNA

Molecular clones of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's were used to determine the 3'-terminal sequences of mRNA's encoding the N and NS proteins. This new approach to VSV mRNA sequencing allowed the first comparison of 3'-terminal sequences. The sequences showed a tetranucleotide homology, UAUG, immediately preceding the polyadenylic acid. In addition, both mRNA's had an AU-rich region including the tetranucleotide AUAU at positions 16 to 19 nucleotides from the polyadenylic acid. A possible secondary structure between the 3' end of N mRNA and the 5' end of the adjacent NS mRNA is noted. These structural features may serve as signals for termination (or cleavage) and polyadenylation of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNA's. Neither mRNA had the polyadenylic acidproximal hexanucleotide, AAUAAA, found in eucaryotic cellular and viral mRNA's transcribed from nuclear DNA. The probable location of the translation termination codon for the NS protein is only six nucleotides from polyadenylic acid in NS mRNA.