Messenger RNA of the M segment RNA of Rift Valley fever virus.

The putative messenger RNA (mRNA) of the M segment RNA of the phlebovirus Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) has been characterized using S1 nuclease mapping and oligonucleotide primer extension procedures. These experiments revealed that the 3' end of the mRNA lacks approximately 112 nucleotides of the M genomic RNA sequences, and that the 5' end of the mRNA possesses all of the sequences present at the 3' end of the M RNA but is further extended beyond the end of the genome by some 12-14 nucleotides of unknown origin. The implications of these data are discussed in relation to the replication and expression strategy of this virus.