@article{mbs:/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-65-11-1969, author = "Davison, A. J.", title = "Structure of the Genome Termini of Varicella-Zoster Virus", journal= "Journal of General Virology", year = "1984", volume = "65", number = "11", pages = "1969-1977", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-65-11-1969", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-65-11-1969", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2099", type = "Journal Article", keywords = "termini", keywords = "DNA replication", keywords = "VZV", keywords = "genome", keywords = "DNA sequence", abstract = "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.", }