Genetic relatedness of the Kemerovo serogroup viruses: I. RNA-RNA blot hybridization and gene reassortment in vitro of the Kemerovo serocomplex.

Abstract

The majority of the thirty-two Great Island serocomplex isolates examined exhibit distinct dsRNA polyacrylamide gel profiles. Yet, these viruses are closely related by blot hybridization with only two genes showing significant sequence divergence. Gene reassortment was demonstrated between selected pairs of the Great Island serocomplex viruses with two different geographic regions represented. The majority of the reassortant progeny from the cross of selected pairs resulted in progeny with multiple gene-replacements. The ability of these selected isolates to reassort confirms the close taxonomic relationship of the isolates in spite of their geographic distribution.