5-Variable genome sequence of the LIVP vaccinia virus. A possible role for short direct repeats in the formation of deletions]

HindIII-O/N DNA fragments of vaccinia virus (VV) of the LIVP strain were mapped using thirteen restriction endonucleases. Nucleotide sequences of the HindIII-O fragment (1530 bp) as well as of a site of the HindIII-N genome fragment 353 bp in size were determined. Comparison of restriction maps and nucleotide sequences of VV strains (WR and LIVP) demonstrated that DNA of VV LIVP contained % deletions and 2 insertions. "Reliable" short direct repeats were localized and their possible role in formation of DNA deletions was shown. It was suggested that VV endonuclease and DNA-ligase participate in replication and repair processes. Mechanism of formation of variable sequences of viral genomes is discussed.