Genome structure of cottontail rabbit herpesvirus.

The genome structure of a herpesvirus isolated from primary cultures of kidney cells from the cottontail rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus was elucidated by using electron microscopy and restriction enzyme analysis. The genome, which was about 150 kilobase pairs long and which had an average G + C composition of 45%, consisted of two regions with unique base sequences (54 and 47 kilobase pairs) enclosed by reiterations of a 925-base-pair sequence with a variable copy number. The internal repeats were in opposite polarity with respect to the terminal repeats, and both unique regions underwent inversion. The nucleotide sequence of the repeat unit was determined, and virion DNA termini were precisely localized within this sequence. Elements showing homology with the cleavage-packaging signals common to other herpesviruses were detected. The data indicate that this virus is different from the previously described herpesvirus sylvilagus.