Comparison of DNA Polymerase Gene of Marek’s Disease Virus among Different Pathotypes Strains
Abstract: In this study, the DNA polymerase genes of 9 different pathotypes strains were compared, to analyze the relationship between the pathotype and MDV’s DNA polymerase gene. These strains included four international reference strains—vaccine strain CVI988, virulent strain GA, very virulent strain Md5 and very virulent plus strain 648A; and other vaccine strain 814, reference strain Jing-1 and three field strains isolated in China. The results showed that the DNA polymerase gene was highly conserved. The homology of upstream regulating sequences among 9 different strains was 96.7%~100%. The identity of amino acid sequences of DNA polymerase among 9 MDV strains of different pathotypes was 99.2%~100%. Although there are variations among them, there are no direct relationship between the DNA polymerase gene and pathotype or zone distribution.