Characterization of the DNA of rodent herpesviruses by restriction endonuclease analysis and hybridization.

Restriction endonuclease analysis, dot-blot hybridization, and dried gel hybridization were used to differentiate mouse cytomegalovirus, rat cytomegalovirus, and mouse herpesvirus strain 76. Viral DNA was obtained directly from virus-infected mouse or rat cells. Restriction endonuclease digestion was performed by standard methods with BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII, and PstI, and DNA was analyzed by electrophoresis on agarose gels. Cross-hybridization was used to determine the degree of genetic homology among the three viruses. Electrophoretic patterns revealed clear differences between mouse cytomegalovirus and rat cytomegalovirus restriction profiles. Extensive comigration of DNA was observed for rat cytomegalovirus and mouse herpesvirus strain 76. Both viruses also shared common DNA sequences. These results suggest that mouse herpesvirus strain 76 is probably a rat cytomegalovirus strain infecting mice.