Objective: The M and S segments of Cou3, a Hantavirus strain isolated from Rattus norvegieus were partially reverse transcripted, PCR amplified and sequenced with ABI 373 DNA sequencer to observe the differences from other SEO type viruses.
Methods: RT-PCR was used to amplify M and S segments of Cou3 strain, and then the nucleotide (nt) sequences of the segments were analysed. Phylogenetic tree analysis was also performed.
Results: The different property through PCR amplification and partial nucleotide sequence data showed that Gou3 was a Hantavirus of SEO type with significance difference from the other SEO type viruses. The nt sequence homology between Cou3 and the other SEO type viruses was only about 85%, but the deduced amino acid (aa) sequence of partial glycoprotein was highly conservative, at least as same as that among the other SEO type viruses. Sequence analysis also showed that nt or aa sequence homology between Gou3, or other SEO type, and HTN type viruses was nearly the same, while the phylogenetic tree analysis showed that Gou3 was a virus which was between HTN and the other SEO type viruses but closer to the latter.
Conclusions: Gou3 is a SEO virus but belongs to a new subtype.