Structure of the glycoprotein gene in rabies virus

Rabies virus, a rhabdovirus, has a single (non-segmented) negative-strand RNA genome which is transcribed on infection to produce five polyadenylated complementary monocistronic mRNA species. Each of the virus-specific mRNAs representing a structural gene of the rabies virus genome 1 codes for a virion structural protein which corresponds in size to the apparent coding capacity of its mRNA 2,3 . The glycoprotein gene codes for a membrane-associated molecule which forms spike-like projections on the surface of mature rabies virions and is responsible for the induction and binding of virus-neutralizing antibodies to the virus 4–6 . To define the antigenic and immunogenic properties of rabies virus glycoprotein, we have cloned a cDNA copy of its mRNA sequence into pBR322 (ref. 7). Here we describe the characterization of the cDNA sequence, which has allowed us to predict several features of the glycoprotein from the deduced amino acid sequence.