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Ebola protein analyses for the determination of genetic organization

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Summary

Amino-acid sequencing of the purified major nucleoprotein (NP), VP 35 and VP 40 from purified Ebola virus proved that they are the protein products of the first three genes, and that the open reading frame (ORF) of the NP begins at nucleotide 470. Because of the many unusual features of the ORFs of Ebola virus, we thought that our conclusions should be substantiated. Comparisons of in vitro-translation products to purified viral proteins were used to demonstrate conclusively that the NP, VP 35 and VP 40 were the protein products of genes one, two, and three, respectively. Studies using antibodies to synthetic peptides matching the N- and C-termini of the deduced sequences from these genes confirmed these conclusions and that the ORF for the NP begins at nucleotide 470. Subsequent studies confirmed that VP 30 is encoded by the fifth gene.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia

    Luanne H. Elliott & A. Sanchez

  2. Biotechnology Core Facility Branch, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia

    B. P. Holloway

  3. Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia

    J. B. McCormick

  4. Salk Institute, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, USA

    M. P. Kiley

Authors
  1. Luanne H. Elliott
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  2. A. Sanchez
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  3. B. P. Holloway
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  4. M. P. Kiley
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  5. J. B. McCormick
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Elliott, L.H., Sanchez, A., Holloway, B.P. et al. Ebola protein analyses for the determination of genetic organization. Archives of Virology 133, 423–436 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313780

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313780

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