RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study genetic characteristics of fusion gene (F gene) of H1 genotype of wild measles virus circulated in China from 1999 to 2003. METHOD: 13 H1 genotype representative strains including 8 subgenotype H1a strains and 5 subgenotype H1b strains isolated in mainland China during 1999-2003 were selected. Entire F gene were amplified by reverse transcript-polymerase chain reaction and sequenced, then they were compared with the nucleotide acid sequences of Chinese measles vaccine strains and the representative strains of A, D3, D6, D7 and E genotypes from other countries. The phylogenetic analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Among 13 representative strains circulated in China during 1999 to 2003, the homology of nucleotide acid and amino acid were 98.1%-99.0% and 98.1%-100% respectively, and were 95.7%-96.2% and 96.9%-97.2% respectively compared with Chinese vaccine strains,while compared with other genotype strains, the homology of nucleotide acid were 94.4%-96.2%. In F gene,the 3 glycosylation site (aa32, aa64 and aa70), aa112 and aa195 which played the important role to viral fusion had no changes. CONCLUSION: The F genes of H1 genotype measles virus circulated in China mainland during 1999-2003 had no sig-nificant vibration, and known important functional sites in Fusion protein didn't have deviation, it could be postulated that the structure and functions of F protein of wild Measles viruses circulated in mainland China from 1999 to 2003 were conserved. F protein, however, played an important role in Measles viruses, it need to conducted routine monitoring to F gene. which benefit for understanding of epidemic features and genetic variation pattern of wild Measles viruses.