Molecular cloning of the complete genome of reovirus serotype 3

All 10 genes of the Dearing strain of reovirus serotype 3 have been cloned in their entirety into pBR322. This has been proved by sequencing the terminal regions (50–100 residues long) of all 10 cloned genes; all such regions were found to be identical to the corresponding terminal regions of the double-stranded RNA genes that are present in reovirus particles. The lengths of the cloned reovirus genes were estimated by comparing their electrophoretic mobilities (and those of their PstI cleavage fragments) with those of accurately known marker DNA molecules. The genes range in size from about 3825 bp for the L genes to about 1200 pb for the S4 gene.