Distribution of G + C-rich Regions in Varicella-Zoster Virus DNA

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Abstract
The distribution of G + C-rich sequences in the genome of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was investigated by partial denaturation, equilibrium sedimentation and Southern blot analyses. Portions of the IRS [short inverted repeat] and TRS [short terminal repeat] repeat sequences bounding the US [short unique region] region of the DNA were found to have a G + C content 10-20% greater than the overall 47% G + C content of the VZV genome. A stretch of DNA (.apprx. 1500 base pairs) at the UL [unique long region]-IRS junction and repeated at the terminus of the TRS sequences was found to be .apprx. 64% G + C, based on sedimentation equilibrium measurements. The cloning of a novel fragment containing sequences from both the UL and TRS termini of the VZV genome is reported. The ability to clone this fragment suggests that unusual forms of VZV DNA including closed circular molecules and molecules with an inverted UL region can be packaged into nucleocapsids.