Replication of minute virus of mice minigenomes: novel replication elements required for MVM DNA replication.

In this report, we describe the replication of minigenomes of minute virus of mice (MVM). We show that the cis-acting sequences required for MVM DNA replication reside in the terminal 140 and 660 nucleotides of the left and right termini, respectively. Minigenomes containing either two right (RR) or two left (LL) termini are replication competent genomes, demonstrating that both termini contain the genetic information necessary for the excision and initiation of DNA replication. Since the efficiency of replication of the RR genome is greater than that of the LL genome, it suggests that the individual terminal sequences are not equivalent in function. In addition to the terminal palindromic sequences required for replication, we show that specific elements found inboard of the right hairpin between nucleotides 4489-4636 (element A) and 4636-4695 (element B) are necessary for the efficient replication of MVM minigenomes. These elements have heretofore not been identified as replication sequences.