The identification of genes for the major core proteins of fowl adenovirus serotype 10.

The sequence analysis of 1218 base pairs containing the probable fowl adenovirus (FAV) equivalents to the major core genes of human adenovirus (HAV) located on the late transcription unit number 2 (L2) has been completed. Two open reading frames (ORF) 3 prime to the gene for the penton base have been identified (41.3 to 43.4 map units). The putative poly A recognition sequence signalling the end of the L2 transcription unit has also been located. The two ORFs identified encode polypeptides that are highly basic in nature, especially rich in arginine. Both ORF appear to encode the FAV equivalents to the HAV major core polypeptides. The genomic map locations of these two ORFs have been determined and compared to the map locations of HAV-2 pV, pVII, and mu genes. A possible third core protein gene of FAV-10 that reads in the reverse direction was also tentatively identified.