Characterization of the complete RhPV 1 genomic sequence and an integration locus from a metastatic tumor.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the rhesus papillomavirus type 1 (RhPV 1) genome was determined. The genome is 8026 nucleotides in length and has a genomic organization similar to that of other characterized papillomaviruses. Sequence comparison of RhPV 1 to other papillomaviruses found similarities closest to HPV 16, a sexually transmitted human virus with a high oncogenic potential. Slight differences in the glucocorticoid responsive elements may explain disparate reliance upon added dexamethasone for transformation in vitro of these two papillomaviruses. In addition, a previously described DNA clone consisting of contiguous RhPV 1 and cellular sequences was partially sequenced. The disruption of the RhPV 1 genome due to integration occurred within the L1 open reading frame of RhPV 1, and no significant similarities were observed between the adjacent cellular sequences and information in various data banks.