RNA polymerase (L) gene and genome terminal sequences of ephemeroviruses bovine ephemeral fever virus and Adelaide River virus indicate a close relationship to vesiculoviruses

The sequence of the RNA genome of bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) was determined from the start of the L (polymerase) gene to the end of the untranslated 5′ trailer sequence, completing the sequence of the 14 900 nucleotide (nt) genome. The 6470 nt L gene encodes a single long ORF of 2144 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 249 766 Da. The 70 nt BEFV 5′ trailer region displays partial terminal complementarity with the 3′ leader sequence and contains a 26 nt direct repeat of the U-rich domain of the 3′ leader region. The 47 nt 5′ trailer region of Adelaide River virus (ARV) displays terminal sequence similarity to the BEFV trailer and partial terminal complementarity with the ARV 3′ leader sequence, but does not contain the direct repeat sequence. The BEFV L protein contains all characteristic sequence motifs of amino acid blocks I–VI, conserved among RNA polymerase proteins of single-stranded (−) RNA viruses, separated by regions of lower homology. Phylogenetic analysis using the complete BEFV L protein sequence indicated a closer relationship to vesicular stomatitis virus than to rabies virus. Sequence comparison of two conserved central domains encompassing blocks II and III and block VI of the BEFV and ARV L proteins indicated they are closely related. An extended phylogenetic analysis using the block III sequence, confirmed the relationship of these ephemeroviruses to vesiculo- and lyssaviruses and to other single-stranded (−) RNA viruses.