RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Davison, A. J.YR 1984 T1 Structure of the Genome Termini of Varicella-Zoster Virus JF Journal of General Virology, VO 65 IS 11 SP 1969 OP 1977 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-65-11-1969 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB SUMMARY The DNA molecule of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is represented structurally as L-S, where L is a unique sequence and S is a unique sequence flanked by an inverted repeat. S may be present in either orientation in virion DNA molecules, but, to date, L has been found in only one orientation. DNA sequences were determined at the L-S joint and genome termini, which were cloned using methods designed to conserve either the 3′ or 5′ terminal nucleotide. Molecular hybridization experiments and analysis of the sequences showed that: (i) the genome is not terminally redundant; (ii) the unique sequence in L is flanked by an inverted repeat of 88.5 base pairs; (iii) a single unpaired nucleotide is located at each 3′ terminus of the genome, such that fusion of the termini would produce a sequence identical to that at the L-S joint; (iv) approx. 5% of virions contain genomes with L inverted. The implications of these results in possible mechanisms for VZV DNA replication are discussed., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-65-11-1969