Genetic relationship between mouse adenovirus-2 (strain K87) and human adenovirus-2

The DNA of mouse adenovirus strain K87 (MAd-2) was cloned and mapped with restriction endonucleases BglII, ClaI, EcoRI, HindII and SphI. Large differences were found the MAd-2 and MAd-1 (strain FL) DNA molecules in terms of number and location of restriction sites. The MAd-2 genome also appeared as larger size than in the MAd-1 genome (34.72 kb vs. 30.14 kb). Our results confirm the existence of two distinct adenovirus species in the mouse. Hybridization experiments, on the other hand, indicate that both MAd-1 and MAd-2 are genetically related to human adenovirus type 2 (HAd-2). Overlapping regions of DNA homology are located in genes coding for HAd-2 structural components which could explain serological relationships observed between the human and the murine adenoviruses.