The complete DNA sequence of vaccinia virus

The complete DNA sequence of the genome of vaccinia virus has been determined. The genome consisted of 191,636 by with a base composition of 66.6% A + T. We have identified 198 “major” protein-coding regions and 65 overlapping “minor” regions, for a total of 263 potential genes. Genes encoded by the virus were located by examination of DNA sequence characteristics and compared with existing vaccinia virus mapping analyses, sequence data, and transcription data. These genes were found to be compactly organized along the genome with relatively few regions of noncoding sequences. Whereas several similarities to proteins of known function were discerned, the function of the majority of proteins encoded by these open reading frames is as yet undetermined.