[The genetic characteristics analysis of fusion gene of 13 strains measles viruses in China].

OBJECTIVE

To study genetic characteristics of fusion gene (F gene) of H1 genotype of wild measles virus circulated in China from 1999 to 2003.

METHOD

13 H1 genotype representative strains including 8 subgenotype H1a strains and 5 subgenotype H1b strains isolated in mainland China during 1999-2003 were selected. Entire F gene were amplified by reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction and sequenced, then they were compared with the nucleotide acid sequences of Chinese measles vaccine strains and the representative strains of A, D3, D6, D7 and E genotypes from other countries. The phylogenetic analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

Among 13 representative strains circulated in China during 1999 to 2003, the homology of nucleotide acid and amino acid were 98.1%-99.0% and 98.1%-100% respectively, and were 95.7%-96.2% and 96.9%-97.2% respectively compared with Chinese vaccine strains,while compared with other genotype strains, the homology of nucleotide acid were 94.4%-96.2%. In F gene,the 3 glycosylation site (aa32, aa64 and aa70), aa112 and aa195 which played the important role to viral fusion had no changes.

CONCLUSION

The F genes of H1 genotype measles virus circulated in China mainland during 1999-2003 had no sig-nificant vibration, and known important functional sites in Fusion protein didn't have deviation, it could be postulated that the structure and functions of F protein of wild Measles viruses circulated in mainland China from 1999 to 2003 were conserved. F protein, however, played an important role in Measles viruses, it need to conducted routine monitoring to F gene. which benefit for understanding of epidemic features and genetic variation pattern of wild Measles viruses.