Sequence homology and morphologic similarity of HTLV-III and visna virus, a pathogenic lentivirus

Matthew A. Gonda, Flossie Wong-Staal, Robert C. Gallo, Janice E. Clements, Opendra Narayan, Raymond V. Gilden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

258 Scopus citations

Abstract

A study was conducted of the genetic relation between human T-cell lymphotropic retroviruses and visna virus. The human T-cell lymphotropic viruses include those associated with T-cell malignancies (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) as well as the etiologic agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HTLV-III). Visna virus, a slowly replicating and pathogenic but nononcogenic retrovirus of sheep, is a member of the subfamily Lentivirinae. Results obtained by molecular hybridization and heteroduplex analysis indicated that a greater extent of nucleotide sequence homology exists between HTLV-III and visna virus than between HTLV-III and any of the other viruses. The homology observed under conditions of low stringency spanned the entire genome, but was strongest in the gag/pol region. The morphogenesis and fine structure of HTLV-III and visna virus also demonstrated striking similarities. The data provide strong evidence for a close taxonomic and thus evolutionary relation between HTLV-III and the Lentivirinae subfamily.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)173-177
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume227
Issue number4683
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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