Complete nucleotide sequences of avian metapneumovirus subtype B genome

Complete nucleotide sequences were determined for subtype B avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), the attenuated vaccine strain VCO3/50 and its parental pathogenic strain VCO3/60616. The genomes of both strains comprised 13,508 nucleotides (nt), with a 42-nt leader at the 3′-end and a 46-nt trailer at the 5′-end. The genome contains eight genes in the order 3′-N-P-M-F-M2-SH-G-L-5′, which is the same order shown in the other metapneumoviruses. The genes...