Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Genes, env”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Phenotype-associated env gene variation among eight related human immunodeficiency virus type 1 clones: evidence for in vivo recombination and determinants of cytotropism outside the V3 domain.

The nucleotide sequences of the env genes of eight phenotypically heterogeneous human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) clones recovered from a single individual within a 3-week period were compared. In addition, the accessory gene sequences for four of these clones were obtained. Variation among most accessory genes was limited. In contrast, pronounced phenotype-associated sequence variation was observed in the env gene. At least three of these clones most likely resulted from genetic recombination events in vivo, indicating that this phenomenon may account for the emergence of proviruses with novel phenotypic properties. Within the env genes of the eight clones, four domains could be defined, the sequence of each of which clustered in two groups with high internal homology but 11 to 30% cluster variation. The extensive env gene variation among these eight clones could largely be explained by the unique manner in which the alleles of these four domains were combined in each clone. Experiments with chimeric proviruses demonstrated that the HIV-1 env gene determined the capacity to induce syncytia and tropism for T-cell lines. Amino acids previously shown to be involved in gp120-CD4 and gp120-gp41 interaction were completely conserved among these eight clones. The finding of identical V3 sequences in clones differing in tropism for primary monocytes and T-cell lines demonstrated the existence of determinants of tropism outside the env V3 region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

env Gene of chicken RNA tumor viruses: extent of conservation in cellular and viral genomes.

The env gene of avian sarcoma-leukosis viruses codes for envelope glycoproteins that determine viral host range, antigenic specificity, and interference patterns. We used molecular hybridization to analyze the natural distribution and possible origins of the nucleotide sequences that encode env; our work exploited the availability of radioactive DNA (cDNA(gp)) complementary to most or all of env. env sequences were detectable in the DNAs of chickens which synthesized an env gene product (chick helper factor positive) encoded by an endogenous viral gene and also in the DNAs of chickens which synthesized little or no env gene product (chick helper factor negative). env sequences were not detectable in DNAs from Japanese quail, ring-necked pheasant, golden pheasant, duck, squab, salmon sperm, or calf thymus. The detection of sequences closely related to viral env only in chicken DNA contrasts sharply with the demonstration that the transforming gene (src) of avian sarcoma viruses has readily detectable homologues in the DNAs of all avian species tested [D. Stehelin, H. E. Varmus, J. M. Bishop, and P. K. Vogt, Nature (London) 260: 170-173, 1976] and in the DNAs of other vertebrates (D. Spector, personal communication). Thermal denaturation studies on duplexes formed between cDNA(gp) and chicken DNA and also between cDNA(gp) and RNAs of subgroup A to E viruses derived from chickens indicated that these duplexes were well matched. In contrast, cDNA(gp) did not form stable hybrids with RNAs of viruses which were isolated from ring-necked and golden pheasants. We conclude that substantial portions of nucleotide sequences within the env genes of viruses of subgroups A to E are closely related and that these genes probably have a common, perhaps cellular, evolutionary origin.

Alpharetrovirus↗

Env gene products of AKR dual-tropic viruses: examination of peptide maps and cell surface expression.

The env gene products of nine AKR dual-tropic murine leukemia viruses were compared by peptide mapping and were assayed for expression on the cell surface of infected fibroblasts. Seven virus isolates expressed the env gene polyprotein on the cell surface. The env gene products of six of the seven viruses had identical peptide maps. The analysis of structure and expression of env gene products carried out in this study characterizes a subset of dual-tropic murine leukemia viruses shown by others to be thymotropic.

AKR murine leukemia virus↗

Fatal immunopathogenesis by SIV/HIV-1 (SHIV) containing a variant form of the HIV-1SF33 env gene in juvenile and newborn rhesus macaques.

SIV/HIV-1 (SHIV) chimeric clones, constructed by substituting portions of the pathogenic molecular clone SIVmac239 with counterpart portions from HIV-1 clones, provide a means to analyze functions of selected HIV-1 genes in vivo in nonhuman primates. Our studies focused on SHIVSF33, which contains the vpu, tat, rev, and env genes of the cytopathic, T-cell line tropic clone HIV-1sf33 (subtype-B); this clone has a premature stop codon in the vpu gene. In three juvenile macaques inoculated intravenously with SHIVSF33, low-level persistent infection was established; no disease was observed for a period of >2 years. However, at approximately 16 months p.i., one of four SHIVSF33-infected juvenile macaques exhibited an increase in virus load, depletion of CD4(+) T cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, and other symptoms of simian AIDS (SAIDS). Virus recovered from this animal in the symptomatic stage was designated SHIVSF33a (A, adapted); this virus displayed multiple amino acid sequence changes throughout the HIV-1 env gene compared with the input SHIVSF33 clone. Additionally, a mutation in all clones from SHIVSF33a restored the open reading frame for the vpu gene. In vitro evaluations in tissue-culture systems revealed that SHIVSF33a replicated to higher levels and exhibited greater cytopathicity than SHIVSF33. Furthermore cloned env genes for SHIVSF33a were more fusogenic in a cell-fusion assay compared with the env gene of the SHIVSF33. Intravenous inoculation of SHIVsf33a into juvenile and newborn macaques resulted in a rapid decline in CD4(+) T cells to very low levels and development of a fatal AIDS-like disease. A cell-free preparation of this pathogenic chimeric virus also established persistent infection when applied to oral mucosal membranes of juvenile macaques and produced a fatal AIDS-like disease. These studies on pathogenic SHIVSF33a establish the basis for further investigations on the role of the HIV-1 env gene in virus adaptation and in mechanism(s) of immunodeficiency in primates; moreover, the chimeric virus SHIVSF33a can play a role in elucidating mucosal membrane transmission and development of antiviral vaccines in newborns as well as juvenile and adult macaques.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Retained in vitro infectivity and cytopathogenicity of HIV-1 despite truncation of the C-terminal tail of the env gene product.

Five in-frame stop mutations in the HIV-1 env gene, which lead to the production of env gene products truncated within the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail, have been generated and their effects on membrane fusion capacity, glycoprotein incorporation into virus particles, infectivity, and cytopathogenicity were analyzed. The resulting truncated glycoproteins were processed normally, were transported to the cell surface, and were able to induce CD4-dependent membrane fusion. The membrane fusion capacity of one of the mutant glycoproteins with a truncation of 144 amino acids was increased to about double of that induced by wild-type glycoprotein. With a single exception, the truncated viral glycoproteins were incorporated into virus particles which were infectious and cytopathic for permissive MT-4 cells. The infection kinetics with the mutated viruses were, however, delayed to varying degrees in comparison to infection with wild-type virus. Nevertheless, in each case, PCR amplification and direct sequencing of viral DNA in the infected cultures confirmed the presence of the mutant and the absence of revertant DNA. The mutant virus encoding a viral glycoprotein with the longest truncation (144 amino acids), in which only 7 cytoplasmic C-terminal amino acids in gp41 remain, resulted in infection kinetics in MT-4 cells which were only marginally delayed in comparison to those induced by wild-type virus. This means that these C-terminal 144 amino acids of gp41 are not necessary for glycoprotein incorporation into virus particles nor do they significantly contribute to the infectivity nor the cytopathogenicity of HIV-1 in MT-4 cells.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Adaptation in the env gene of HIV-1 and evolutionary theories of disease progression.

The exact mechanisms by which HIV overwhelms the immune system remain poorly understood. Among the several explanations of HIV disease progression, most include adaptation of the viral genome to the host environment as a causal factor. Therefore, quantifying the rate and pattern of adaptive evolution within infected patients is critical to understanding the development of AIDS. Using sequence data from infected individuals sampled at multiple time points, I estimate the within-host adaptation rate of the HIV-1 env gene for viral populations from 50 different patients. I find that, averaging across patients, one adaptive substitution occurs every 3.3 months. Also, one adaptive mutation is driven to a high frequency (>50% but <100%) every 2.5 months. Taken together, such adaptive events occur once every 25 viral generations, which is the fastest adaptation rate ever recorded for a single protein-coding gene. Within the entire env gene, I estimate that a majority ( approximately 55%) of both nonsynonymous substitutions and high-frequency polymorphisms are adaptive. Further, in the C2-V5 region of env, I find that patients with longer asymptomatic periods have virus populations with higher adaptation rates, corroborating the notion that a broad, strong immune response against epitopes in the env gene product leads to longer asymptomatic periods. I conclude by discussing the distribution of nonsynonymous changes over the env gene.

Adult↗

env Gene typing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strains on electronic microarrays.

The NanoChip system was used for subtyping human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains using probes complementary to the V1 region of the env gene. Probes for six subtypes (A to D, F, and G) and two circulating recombinant forms (AG and AE) of HIV-1 group M were included. The specificity of these oligonucleotides had been evaluated previously in a DNA enzyme immunoassay. Samples from 112 patient sera were used as templates in a nested reverse transcription-PCR to produce amplicons that were applied to the array. The array was then hybridized successively to pairs of oligonucleotide probes. The strains were assigned a subtype on the basis of their probe hybridization patterns. One strain gave a contradictory pattern and was designated as untypeable by the NanoChip assay. Eighty-eight strains gave hybridization patterns that allowed a correct subtype designation to be made by the NanoChip assay compared to either the sequence or the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA)-determined subtypes. Thirteen strains that reacted with the subtype A probe (SA2) were incorrectly assigned to subtype A, or to one of the related circulating recombinant types (AE or AG), on the basis of reactions with probe SAE1 or SAG1. The results indicate that these oligonucleotides have relatively low specificities. The probe subtypes of three strains matched the subtypes determined for the gag and pol genes but not the env gene, suggesting that a recombination event may have occurred within the env gene. Overall, the NanoChip assay gave results comparable to those for HMA and sequencing and provides a convenient and cost-effective means by which to subtype HIV-1.

Electronics↗

Mutational analysis of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env gene product proteolytic cleavage site.

The structural requirements for proteolytic cleavage of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env gene product, gp160, to gp120 and gp41 have been assessed by specific mutagenesis of the sequence Lys Ala Lys Arg Arg Val Val Glu Arg Glu Lys Arg located between amino acids 500 and 511, i.e., at the putative C terminus of gp120. The basic amino acids underlined have been mutated, individually and in combination, to neutral amino acids, and the cleavability of the mutated env gene products was examined after expression in CV-1 cells. The results show that the replacement of Arg-511 (cleavage presumably occurs C terminal to this amino acid) with Ser completely abolishes recognition and cleavage by the cellular protease(s), i.e., the remaining basic amino acids in the vicinity do not serve as alternative substrates. However, Arg-508 and Lys-510 are important features of the recognition site since, when they are individually changed to neutral amino acids, cleavage is severely impaired. The basic amino acids 500, 502, and 504 are, individually, not important for cleavage, since their individual replacement by neutral amino acids does not impair cleavage. However, when all four basic amino acids 500, 502, 503, and 504 are changed to neutral amino acids, cleavage is almost completely abolished. This shows that the sequence Arg Glu Lys Arg at the cleavage site is alone not sufficient for cleavage but that a contribution of other amino acids is required, whether the other amino acids provide a basic character or a certain structure in the vicinity of the cleavage site. When noncleavable or poorly cleavable mutant env genes are expressed from the infectious plasmid pNL4-3 in CD4+ human lymphoblastoid cells, noninfectious virus, incapable of spread throughout the culture, is produced.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A time-course study of MuLV env gene expression in the AKR thymus: qualitative and quantitative analysis of ecotropic and recombinant virus gene products.

Low levels of synthesis of two species of MuLV env gene polyprotein (PrENV protein) in thymocytes of 3-month-old AKR mice were identified. Synthesis of PrENV proteins which comigrate with those of ecotropic and recombinant, dualtropic MuLV represented, respectively, 0.03-0.05 and 0.01-0.03% of total cell protein synthesis in these animals. An increase in the rate of synthesis of both PrENV species was observed in animals at 5-6 months of age; ecotropic virus PrENV represented 0.2-0.6% of total protein synthesis and recombinant virus PrENV, 1-2.5% of total protein synthesis in thymocytes of mice of this age. This same increase in env gene expression of both the ecotropic and recombinant virus was induced in 3-month-old animals by intrathymic injection of recombinant MuLV at 4-6 weeks of age. The level of recombinant virus env gene synthesis in thymomas was similar to that observed in thymocytes of 5- to 6-month-old animals and in experimentally injected animals; elevated synthesis of ecotropic virus PrENV protein was detected in 85% of these leukemias. Partial protease digest mapping of the recombinant virus PrENV protein isolated from 23 primary thymomas revealed that the predominant type of recombinant (18/23) expressed in these cells was that of the MCF 69L1/247 type. A notable finding was the identification of expression of variant ecotropic MuLV in these thymomas. Of ten leukemias studied, eight expressed ecotropic virus PrENV proteins which were distinguishable from that of Akv virus. Four unique ecotropic virus PrENV proteins were observed.

Animals↗

Protection of retrovirus-induced disease by transplantation of bone marrow cells transduced with MuLV env gene via retrovirus vector.

Fv-4 is a mouse gene that dominantly confers resistance to infection by ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV). We have demonstrated previously that bone marrow chimeras in which hematopoietic cells were replaced with cells expressing Fv-4 resistant (Fv-4r) gene product became refractory to Friend leukemia virus (FLV)-induced leukemogenesis. To induce in vivo resistance against retrovirus-induced diseases by retroviral vector-mediated gene transduction, we introduced Fv-4 env gene into bone marrow cells of FLV-susceptible C3H/He (C3H) mice with retroviral vector (pLSF) derived from murine Friend spleen focus forming virus (SFFV) and the cells were transplanted into lethally irradiated C3H mice. After the bone marrow transplantation, Fv-4r gene product was successfully expressed on erythroid and myeloid cells, while lymphoid cells were only weakly expressing Fv-4r gene product. The C3H mice expressing relatively higher amounts of Fv-4r gene product were rendered resistant to FLV-induced erythroleukemia, while mice expressing lower amounts of the Fv-4r gene product were still susceptible. Effective protection of FLV-induced leukemia in these mice suggested that the Fv-4r gene expression by erythroid cells that were the major target of FLV infection might be critical for resisting FLV-induced leukemia. Thus, gene therapy model by transducing Fv-4r env gene using bone marrow transplantation would provide a useful protection model system of retrovirus-induced diseases.

Animals↗

Identification of an epitope encoded in the env gene of Friend murine leukemia virus recognized by anti-Friend virus cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

We have previously shown that strong epitopes recognized by anti-Friend virus (FV) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in H-2b mice are encoded in both the env and gag/pol regions of the helper friend leukemia virus genome. Two approaches have been used to identify these epitopes. At the nucleic acid level, we have constructed env genes with either of two in-frame deletions: pKR2, an env gene with a 681-bp deletion in the gp70 region and inserted into the pSV2-gpt-1 expression vector; and pKR1, an env gene with an 81-bp deletion in the p15E region and inserted into pSV2-gpt-1. Cell clones were established by transfecting Fisher rat embryo cells with pDb (the H-2Db restriction element), pNEO (for G418 selection) and either pKR1 or pKR2. Db and env gene expression was monitored by immunoprecipitation with polyclonal antibodies or by detection of viral RNA on Northern blots. Expressor cell clones were tested for susceptibility to lysis by polyclonal anti-FV/Db CTL in 51Cr-release assays. Whereas cells expressing pKR1 were lysed to the same extent as cells expressing the intact env gene, cells expressing pKR2 were resistant to lysis, suggesting that all detectable env epitopes are encoded within the 681-bp deletion. Polypeptides representing the two most likely candidate epitopes encoded in this segment were synthesized and tested for their abilities to sensitize FRE cells expressing Db alone for lysis by the CTL. One 17-mer polypeptide, AGTGDRLLNLVQGAYQA [corrected], functioned as a strong CTL epitope in this assay, but the other 18-mer polypeptide was inactive. Studies of the role of this epitope in the immune response to candidate viral vaccines are in progress.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The use of a chimera HIV-1/HIV-2 envelope protein for immunodiagnosis of HIV infection: its expression and purification in E. coli by use of a translation initiation site within HIV-1 env gene.

A chimera HIV-1/HIV-2 envelope sequence composed of multiple conserved immunodominant epitopes of HIV-1 envelope protein (HIV-1 IIIB: env482-518 + env548-675) and the HIV-2 gp36 immunodominant epitope (env592-603), was constructed and directly over-expressed in E. coli by using a prokaryotic translation initiation sequence contained within the gene of HIV-1 envelope. The recombinant product was purified and applied in antibody-screening assay. The purified chimera antigen reacted with all the thirty-eight HIV-1 positive serum samples, the two HIV-2 serum samples, and had no cross-reaction with all the eighty-eight normal healthy serum sample. The results indicated that this recombinant chimera HIV-1/HIV-2 envelope protein could be useful for diagnostic purposes of HIV infection.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

[Effect of 5-azacytidine on expression of DNA sequences homologous to ENV gene of murine mammary tumor virus in normal human lymphocytes].

Expression of DNA sequences, related to MMTV env gene, in peripheral blood lymphocytes, which was strictly specific for human mammary carcinoma, has been previously reported. These sequences (homologous to env gene site coding for MMTV gp52 envelope antigen) expressed in T cells can play the key role in virus infection transmission and propagation. In order to elucidate the possible routes of env MMTV-homologous sequences expression, we tried to induced it in donot T lymphocytes by various methods: hormone and virus treatment (related genome "saving" at the expense of the added virus envelope), T cell culturing with conA, interferon-2, and 5-azacytidine. RT-PCR with primers specific for the gp52-coding area of MMTV env gene showed expression of env-homologous sequences in donor T cells cultured in medium with 5-azacytidine. Indirect immunofluorescence with monospecific serum to MMTV gp52 detected gp52 analogous genes only in cultures with 5-azacytidine but not other agents. We therefore suggested that MMTV env-homologous sequences in donors are situated in the methylated promoter zone. Expression of these sequences in T cells, specific for human mammary carcinoma, can be due to demethylation of the promoter and induction of env-homologous sequences to the level of translation of gp52 analogous antigens or by initial location of some of the expressed sequences in the demethylated zone of the genome.

Animals↗

An efficient method for the rescue and analysis of functional HIV-1 env genes: evidence for recombination in the vicinity of the tat/rev splice site.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a robust procedure for the isolation and characterization of full-length expression-competent HIV-1 env genes directly from patient samples. DESIGN: HIV exists as a quasispecies which can be disturbed by in vitro culture, in which numerous members of the population are likely to be defective due to the high error rate of the viral reverse transcriptase. Defective viruses are unlikely to play a dominant role in disease progression. Since env gene translation products play major roles in the initiation and spread of infection we need to study genes with open reading frames. METHODS: A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach has been used to rescue intact (2.6 kb) env genes, which are cloned into a T7-promoter-containing vector. Expression of gp160 in CV-1 cells is detected by Western blot. Expression-competent clones are sequenced and resulting sequences used for phylogenetic studies. Translation products are analysed in relation to the known immunogenic structure of gp160. RESULTS: From random patient samples collected in London clinics, only HIV-1 subtype B was found. Two of the samples contained viruses with an additional pair of cysteine residues in their V1 regions. For samples collected in Uganda, HIV-1 subtypes A, D and an A/D recombinant were recovered. CONCLUSION: An effective procedure is described for the isolation of HIV-1 env genes directly from patient samples, which has worked for A, B and D subtypes to date. The PCR primers can be utilized with other subtypes with the possible exception of subtype O viruses. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the potential importance of a G/C-rich region near the tat/rev splice site as a site of recombination. The sequences and translation products generated may be more relevant to disease progression in vivo and vaccine formulations than those obtained from viruses selected in long-term culture.

Base Sequence↗

Conversion of Friend mink cell focus-forming virus to Friend spleen focus-forming virus by modification of the 3' half of the env gene.

The 3' half of the env gene of the dualtropic Friend mink cell focus-forming virus was modified by replacing the restriction enzyme fragment of the genome DNA with the corresponding fragment of the acutely leukemogenic, polycythemia-inducing strain of Friend spleen focus-forming virus (F-SFFVP) genome DNA. Replacement with the fragment of F-SFFVP env containing the 585-bp deletion, the 6-bp duplication, and the single-base insertion converted the resulting chimeric genome so that the mutant had a pathogenic activity like that of F-SFFVP. Replacement with the fragment containing only the 585-bp deletion did not result in a pathogenic virus. However, when this virus pseudotyped by Friend murine leukemia virus was passaged in newborn DBA/2 mice, we could recover weakly pathogenic viruses with a high frequency. Molecular analysis of the genome of the recovered virus revealed the presence of a single-base insertion in the same T5 stretch where the wild-type F-SFFV env has the single-base insertion. These results provided evidence that the unique genomic structures present in the 3' half of F-SFFV env are the sole determinants that distinguish the pathogenicity of F-SFFV from that of Friend mink cell focus-forming virus. The importance of the dualtropic env-specific sequence present in the 5' half of F-SFFV env for the pathogenic activity was evaluated by constructing a mutant F-SFFV genome in which this sequence was replaced by the ecotropic env sequence of Friend murine leukemia virus and by examining its pathogenicity. The results indicated that the dualtropic env-specific sequence was essential to pathogenic activity.

Animals↗

Terminal amino acid sequences and proteolytic cleavage sites of mouse mammary tumor virus env gene products.

The mature envelope glycoproteins of mouse mammary tumor virus (gp52 and gp36) were isolated by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of gp36 was determined for 28 residues. The C-terminal amino acid sequences of gp52 and gp36 were determined by carboxypeptidase digestion. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of gp52 has been reported previously (L. O. Arthur et al., J. Virol. 41:414-422, 1982). These data were aligned with the predicted amino acid sequence of the env gene product obtained by translation of the DNA sequence (S. M. S. Redmond and C. Dickson, Eur. Mol. Biol. Org. J. 2:125-131, 1983). The amino acid sequences of the mature viral proteins were in agreement with the predicted amino acid sequence of the env gene product over the regions of alignment. This alignment showed the sites of proteolytic cleavages of the env gene product leading to the mature viral envelope glycoproteins. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of gp52 starts at residue 99 of the predicted structure indicating proteolytic cleavage of a signal peptide. A dipeptide (Lys-Arg) is excised between the C-terminus of gp52 and the N-terminus of gp36. The C-terminal amino acid sequence of gp36 is identical to the sequence predicted by the codons immediately preceding the termination codon for the env gene product. The data show that there is no proteolytic processing at the C-terminal of the murine mammary tumor virus env gene product and that the env gene coding region extends into the long terminal repeat.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Deletions in env gene of HIV-1 in AIDS patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Many AIDS patients retain high CD4+ T-cell counts despite a significant increase in PCR viral load after varied periods of treatment on drug combination with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). In order to investigate this contradictory phenomenon, we assayed for infectious HIV-1 from the plasma of such patients. Since the biological assays failed to reveal any infectious virus, we undertook molecular characterization of the plasma HIV-1 genes. These studies revealed large deletions in the env gene of the free virus, while there were no deletions in the proviral DNA obtained from the infected cells of the patients' blood. This suggests that the viral particles produced and released by the infected cells during the HAART treatment have deletions in the env gene. The deletions were large enough to produce an envelop-deficient virus, which can readily explain why it is not infectious. Such a defective virus is the most likely explanation for its failure to infect the T-cells, which in turn lead to the discordance between the high PCR viral load and stable CD4+ T cell counts.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗