RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene analysis of worldwide Newcastle disease virus isolates representing different virulence types and their phylogenetic relationship with other members of the paramyxoviridae

Nucleotide sequence was determined for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L) gene of 16 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates from diverse geographic and chronological origins. The observed consensus amino acid sequence conformed to the six domains previously identified among paramyxovirus L proteins, and the putative 749QGDNQ753 active site was strictly conserved among all isolates. Analysis of predicted amino acid sequences allowed us to identify a sequencing error in the previously reported L genes for NDV. The correct sequences reported herein provided a more accurate alignment with predicted l-amino acid sequences of other paramyxoviruses. Comparison of L gene coding sequences among isolates revealed that synonymous substitutions dominated non-synonymous substitutions, as observed previously with other NDV genes. However, the overall substitution rate was lower than other genes examined making the L gene the most conserved of the NDV genome. Phylogenetic analysis of L genes among NDV isolates was consistent with previous results that suggested the existence of two major lineages. One group contained strains isolated in North America prior to 1970 and included virulent and vaccine strains, while the second group included virulent viruses isolated worldwide. A comparison of the NDV L coding sequences to other Paramyxoviridae illustrated the unique clustering of the avian-specific paramyxoviruses, further justifying the newly created Avulavirus genus.