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 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Analysis of protein expression and virus-like particle formation in mammalian cell lines stably expressing HIV-1 gag and env gene products with or without active HIV proteinase.

Cell lines stably releasing noninfectious virus-like particles containing wild type or mutant gene products represent useful tools for a biochemical, immunological, and structural analysis of virus assembly. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 gag and env gene products were transiently and stably expressed in mammalian cells and the formation of virus-like particles incorporating viral glycoproteins was analyzed. Transient cotransfection of plasmids directing the synthesis of gag and env gene products yielded efficient release of particles but specific incorporation of HIV glycoproteins was not detected. A stable cell line expressing wild type HIV-1 glycoproteins was generated and transient transfection of this cell line with gag-encoding constructs led to the release of virus-like particles incorporating HIV surface and transmembrane glycoproteins. Attempts to establish stable cell lines expressing wild type HIV gag and pol genes were unsuccessful and only highly unstable lines primarily expressing uncleaved precursor polyproteins were obtained. This result appears to be caused by the cytotoxic effects of the viral proteinase since stable lines were readily selected after transfection of constructs either encoding an inactive mutant of the proteinase or a mutated frameshift signal which prevented expression of the pol reading frame. Stable coexpression of uncleaved Gag polyprotein and wild type env gene products yielded efficient release of immature virus-like particles incorporating HIV glycoproteins. Electron micrographs revealed lentiviral budding structures with the typical surface projections of viral glycoprotein oligomers.

Animals↗

Increased polymorphism in the HR-1 gp41 env gene encoding the enfuvirtide (T-20) target in HIV-1 variants harboring multiple antiretroviral drug resistance mutations in the pol gene.

BACKGROUND: Sequence variations in HR-1 gp41 env gene region encoding the target for T-20 have previously been reported among patients naive to inhibitory fusion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a previous therapeutic history of patients could have an impact on a differential evolution of the gp41 polymorphism. METHODS: We assessed the genetic polymorphism within the critical HR-1 gp41 env gene region in HIV-1 variants from 108 T-20-naive patients (Groups I-III) and 12 patients receiving T-20 as part of a salvage regimen (Group IV). T-20-naive patients included 50 patients exhibiting variants harboring resistance mutations to NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs (Group I), 24 patients with variants harboring resistance mutations for NRTIs and/or NNRTIs (Group II), and 34 antiretroviral drug-naive patients (Group III). RESULTS: In T-20-naive patients whose HIV harbored resistance mutations to NRTIs, NNRTIs, and/or PIs, the mean number of synonymous mutations (ds) per patient was decreased and the mean number of nonsynonymous (da) mutations per patient was increased, resulting in a significant decrease in the mean Sigmads/Sigmada ratio as compared with antiretroviral drug-naive patients (Group III; 4.1 vs. 11.6; P < 0.0001). The mean number of polymorphic mutations in HR-1 gp41 per patient was two-fold higher in patients exhibiting antiretroviral drug resistance mutations (Groups I and II) than in antiretroviral drug-naive patients (Group III; 0.41 vs. 0.20; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our observations indicate that the HR-1 gp41 T-20 target is subjected to high genetic variability, including intrinsic polymorphism and selection of T-20 resistance mutations under T-20 intake, that is increased by the presence of resistance mutations to NRTIs, NNRTIs, and/or PIs. Our data provide a basis for a potential impact of previous antiretroviral drug history on the therapeutic efficacy of T-20.

Drug Resistance, Multiple↗

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the env gene of a new Zairian isolate of HIV-1.

As a further step in the continuing process of defining the extent and nature of variability of the envelope (env) gene of HIV-1, we have cloned a new Zairian isolate, JY1, and sequenced the env gene of this isolate. Although the restriction map of the env region of JY1 was found to be more similar to that of the American prototype, BH10, than maps of all previously reported Zairian isolates and some American isolates, nucleotide sequencing of the JY1 env gene showed that it is among the most divergent from BH10 yet reported and that it differs from previously reported Zairian isolates almost to the same extent that it differs from BH10. A typical pattern of variable and constant regions was seen. A number of complex duplications were found in the hypervariable regions of JY1. The unique and highly divergent nature of the env gene of JY1 enhances its usefulness as part of a panel of HIV-1 isolates being evaluated in biologic and immunologic studies toward vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) env gene analysis: prediction of glycoprotein epitopes important for heterotypic neutralization and evidence for three genotype clusters within the HIV-2a subtype.

The env gene sequences of ten tissue-culture-adapted human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) isolates from West African patients were determined. Alignment and comparison of the gene sequences and putative translation products with database sequences revealed 11-29% diversity at the nucleotide level and 15-31% variation at the protein level. From analysis of glycoproteins of HIV-2 strains sensitive and resistant to neutralization by HIV-1 antisera, five regions were identified as putative targets for cross-neutralizing antibody. The HIV-2 equivalent of the HIV-1 V3 loop was not included in this number. However, three of the HIV-2 peptides aligned with regions identified as targets for broad neutralization of HIV-1 strains. These were the V2 and CD4-binding domains of gp120 and the Kennedy domain in gp41. Phylogenetic analysis of the env gene sequences, together with HIV-2 env gene sequences published in the Los Alamos database, support the identification of two distinct HIV-2 subtypes, HIV-2a and HIV-2b. The new sequences are located within the HIV-2a subtype and allow prediction of at least three genotypes, designated I-III. Some correlation of genotype with geographical origin of isolates was noted. Genotype I viruses originate from Guinea Bissau and group II viruses mainly originate from The Gambia. One isolate from Guinea Bissau, HIV-2CAM4, appears phylogenetically older than other viruses in the HIV-2a subtype. The possible implications of this in the light of epidemiological findings in Guinea Bissau are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Combination immunization with EIAV Env protein expressed by recombinant baculovirus and recombinant vaccinia virus containing env gene].

AIM: To develop a novel vaccine candidate of Equine infectious anemia virus(EIAV). METHODS: env genes of EIAV Chinese donkey leukocyte attenuated strain (EIAV DLV) and its parental virus strain (EIAV LN) were expressed using the BAC-To-BAC system, and Env proteins were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant vaccinia viruses containing env genes of EIAV alone or boosted with Env proteins expressed by recombinant baculovirus. Both protective humoral and cellular immune responses were detected. RESULTS: Recombinant baculovirus could express complete Env proteins and the titer of neutralizing antibody in the prime-boost group was found to be 5 to 9 folds higher than that in the rVV group. CONCLUSION: Combination of protein antigen and recombinant vaccinia virus could induce high titer of neutralizing antibody against EIAV. This work facilitates development of a novel genetically engineered vaccine of EIAV as a model for future development of an HIV vaccine.

Animals↗

Cell surface expression of the env gene polyprotein of dual-tropic mink cell focus-forming murine leukemia virus.

Differences have been observed in the kinetics of processing of the env gene polyprotein of ecotropic, xenotropic, and dual-tropic mink cell focus-forming (MCF) murine leukemia virus. In pulse-chase experiments, the env gene polyprotein of the dural-tropic MCF virus exhibits a marked increase in stability relative to that of either ecotropic or xenotropic virus. A comparison of cell surface expression of env gene products of ecotropic, xenotropic, and dual-tropic MCF murine leukemia virus has been made. Only gp70 is accessible to lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of fibroblasts infected by ecotropic or xenotropic virus, whereas both gp70 and the env gene polyprotein are expressed on the surface of dual-tropic MCF virus-infected cells.

Animals↗

[An antigen related to the mouse mammary cancer virus env gene product, detected in human lymphocytes, is associated with human breast cancer].

Expression of DNA sequences homologous to sequences of env gene of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) in the lymphocytes of patients with breast cancer and in subjects at a high risk of breast cancer has been reported. Antigen analogous to envelope protein gp52, product of MMTV env gene, is detected in T lymphocytes of virtually all patients with breast cancer and extremely rarely in T cells of controls, where its expression is confined to B cells. For explaining such unexpected results, we studied the molecular basis of this antigen synthesis. Specific PCR products were obtained using primers to gp52-coding region of MMTV env gene. One of them (957 nucleotides) was used as a probe for hybridization of DNA and RNA from lymphocytes of patients with breast cancer and controls. This sequence was hybridized with 90% frequency with genome DNA of breast cancer patients and with 85% frequency with genome RNA of such patients, which is almost 4-fold more than in the controls (patients with gynecological tumors or donors). These results correlate with the frequency of detection of the studied antigen in patients with breast cancer and control group patients.

Antigens, Viral, Tumor↗

Exchange of genetic sequences of long terminal repeat and the env gene by a promiscuous primate type D retrovirus.

Squirrel monkey retrovirus (SMRV) is a New World primate type D retrovirus. It was shown that SMRV-related sequences could be detected in another New World species, the skunk. It was further suggested that SMRV and an Old World primate type C retrovirus, baboon endogenous virus (BaEV), may have exchanged their env gene sequences. In this study, we sought to understand which sequences were exchanged between the genomic DNAs of SMRV and skunk. We also sought to determine the sequences exchanged between SMRV and BaEV. Here, we demonstrate that the long terminal repeat of SMRV is present in the skunk genome. We also show, by nucleotide sequence analysis, that the env gene that encodes the p15E glycoprotein of BaEV was most likely transduced from the corresponding gene of a primate type D retrovirus. Our results demonstrate that SMRV is a promiscuous virus with its pol gene homologous to the pol genes of type A, type B and avian type C viruses and a portion of its env gene homologous to the env genes of primate type C retroviruses. However, the primer binding sequence is unique to type D retroviruses. These kinds of recombination are likely to occur more than once in the evolution of retroviruses. The promiscuous nature of retroviruses and the recent incidence of unintended retroviral integration into a gene therapy patient underscore the importance of understanding how retroviral sequences are recombined among themselves and how they are integrated into the mammalian genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phylogenetic analysis of the env gene of HIV-1 isolates taking into account individual nucleotide substitution rates.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relative substitution rate of the individual positions in an alignment of HIV-1 env sequences coding for areas V3, V4, V5, and the beginning of gp41, and to study phylogenetic relationships between HIV-1 strains taking into account these substitution rate estimates. DESIGN: Phylogenetic comparison of 145 HIV-1 strains classified in HIV-1 group M, subtypes A-H and isolated from patients of 24 different geographical origins. METHODS: A new method recently developed for measuring the substitution rates of the individual nucleotides in a sequence alignment was applied to an alignment of env gene sequences. From the resulting substitution rate distribution, an equation was derived that describes the relationship between dissimilarity and evolutionary distance better than equations previously available. Phylogenetic trees were then constructed from matrices of distances computed using this new equation. RESULTS: 'Substitution rate calibration' offers detailed information on the relative substitution rate or variability of the nucleotides in the env gene. A large phylogenetic tree of 145 env gene sequences constructed by neighbour-joining and taking into account the substitution rate spectrum for this gene, clearly shows the existence of the eight subtypes A-H, all supported at a bootstrap level of 90% or higher. Intersubtype distances were between 0.25 and 0.38, which is considerably higher than those found in trees not considering differences in substitution rates among different alignment positions. CONCLUSIONS: Evolutionary distances are seriously underestimated when individual substitution rates are not considered in the estimation evolutionary distances. Furthermore, due to the more accurate estimation of evolutionary distances, naturally occurring HIV-1 intersubtype recombinants could be recognized more easily.

Base Sequence↗

Sequence of host-range determinants in the env gene of a full-length, infectious proviral clone of exogenous avian leukosis virus HPRS-103 confirms that it represents a new subgroup (designated J).

A genomic DNA library was constructed, in a bacteriophage lambda vector, from line 0 chick embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) infected with HPRS-103, an exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV; envelope subgroup J) recently isolated from meat-type chickens. The library was screened at high stringency using a full length RAV-1 (subgroup A) proviral probe. From 10(6) plaques, two clones which hybridized strongly to the RAV-1 probe were isolated; one contained a full-length copy of the proviral genome of HPRS-103 and the other contained a copy lacking the 5'-long terminal repeat (LTR) and part of gag. The relative strength of hybridization of RAV-1 and HPRS-103 clones, to RAV-1 probes representing different parts of the proviral genome, indicated that the gag and pol genes of HPRS-103 share a high level of identity with those of RAV-1 but that the env gene and the LTRs are considerably less well conserved. Infectious virus was recovered from CEFs transfected with the full-length clone, as detected by ELISA. The recovered virus appeared to be identical to HPRS-103 by electron microscopy and by Southern blotting of proviral DNA. The recovered virus was shown to be of the same subgroup as HPRS-103 by serum neutralization and receptor interference assays. Sequence analysis of the env gene of HPRS-103 shows that it differs considerably from the env genes of other ALV subgroups, particularly in the host range determinants, consistent with the finding that HPRS-103 represents a new subgroup (designated J).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the Akv env gene.

The sequence of 2,191 nucleotides encoding the env gene of murine retrovirus Akv was determined by using a molecular clone of the Akv provirus. Deduction of the encoded amino acid sequence showed that a single open reading frame encodes a 638-amino acid precursor to gp70 and p15E. In addition, there is a typical leader sequence preceding the amino terminus of gp70. The locations of potential glycosylation sites and other structural features indicate that the entire gp70 molecule and most of p15E are located on the outer side of the membrane. Internal cleavage of the env precursor to generate gp70 and p15E occurs immediately adjacent to several basic amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of gp70. This cleavage generates a region of 42 uncharged, relatively hydrophobic amino acids at the amino terminus of p15E, which is located in a position analogous to the hydrophobic membrane fusion sequence of influenza virus hemagglutinin. The mature polypeptides are predicted to associate with the membrane via a region of 30 uncharged, mostly hydrophobic amino acids located near the carboxyl terminus of p15E. Distal to this membrane association region is a sequence of 35 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of the env precursor, which is predicted to be located on the inner side of the membrane. By analogy to Moloney murine leukemia virus, a proteolytic cleavage in this region removes the terminal 19 amino acids, thus generating the carboxyl terminus of p15E. This leaves 15 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of p15E on the inner side of the membrane in a position to interact with virion cores during budding. The precise location and order of the large RNase T(1)-resistant oligonucleotides in the env region were determined and compared with those from several leukemogenic viruses of AKR origin. This permitted a determination of how the differences in the leukemogenic viruses affect the primary structure of the env gene products.

AKR murine leukemia virus↗

RNA secondary structure and squence conservation in C1 region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env gene.

We have analyzed amino acid, nucleotide sequence, and RNA secondary structure variability in the env gene of human immunodeficiency virus type (HIV-1). In applying algorithms for computing optimal RNA-folding patterns to a nonredundant data set of 178 env nucleotide sequences, we found a conserved RNA stem-loop structure in the first conserved (C1) region of the env gene. This detailed examination also revealed the known secondary structure conservation of the Rev-responsive element (RRE). This finding is also supported by a higher third position conservation of the translatable reading frame along these subregions. The typical folding of the C1 region consists of two isolated stem-loop structures. These highly conserved structures are likely to have a biological function. This assumption is supported by the conservation of the third position along the coding region of these structures. The third position retains a conservation level above what would be statistically expected.

Algorithms↗

Genetic analysis of the complete gag and env genes of HIV type 1 subtype C primary isolates from South Africa.

South Africa has one of the fastest growing HIV-1 epidemics, with an estimated 4.7 million people infected. To better understand the genetic diversity of this epidemic and its potential impact on vaccine development, we have cloned and sequenced the complete gag and env genes of 13 primary virus isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of our sequences and 69 complete env genes from the Los Alamos and GenBank databases revealed multiple subclusters within subtype C. The V3 loop region was relatively conserved in all our strains when compared with other subtypes, but the region immediately downstream was highly variable. No intersubtype recombinant forms were observed when comparing the gag and env sequences. Characterization of the complete gag and env genes enabled us to select specific strains for further vaccine development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Relationship of the env genes and the endonuclease domain of the pol genes of simian foamy virus type 1 and human foamy virus.

We have molecularly cloned and sequenced a portion of the simian foamy virus type 1 (SFV-1); open reading frames representing the endonuclease domain of the polymerase (pol) and the envelope (env) genes were identified by comparison with the human foamy virus (HFV). Unlike the HFV genomic organization, the SFV-1 pol gene overlaps the env gene; thus, the open reading frames reported for HFV between pol and env is not present in SFV-1. Comparisons of predicted amino acid sequences of HFV and SFV-1 reveal that the endonuclease domains of the pol genes are about 84% related. The region predicted to encode the SFV-1 extracellular env domain is 569 codons; SFV-1 and HFV have 64% amino acid similarity in this env domain. The predicted hydrophobic transmembrane env proteins of both HFV and SFV-1 show about 73% similarity. A total of 16 potential glycosylation sites are found in SFV-1 env, and 15 are found in HFV; 11 are shared. SFV-1 has 25 cysteine residues, and HFV has 23 residues; all 23 cysteine residues of HFV are conserved in SFV-1. This sequence analysis reveals that the human and simian foamy viruses are highly related.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of env gene of bovine leukemia virus in rodent cells.

The BamHI-BamHI fragment of the env gene of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) cloned in pMMEx expression vector was transfected into Chinese hamster cells. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against both conformational and sequential epitopes of gp51 of BLV recognized viral polypeptides expressed in hamster cells in Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Animals↗

Both the changes of six amino acids and the C-terminal truncation caused by a one-base insertion in the defective env gene of Friend spleen focus-forming virus significantly affect the pathogenic activity of the encoded leukemogenic membrane glycoprotein (gp55).

Friend spleen focus-forming virus (F-SFFV) causes acute erythroleukemia in mice and encodes in its defective env gene an Env-like membrane glycoprotein (gp55). The F-SFFV env gene has three characteristic structures compared with that of ecotropic murine leukemia viruses (MuLVs): substitution by the polytropic MuLV env sequence, a 585-bp deletion, and a 1-bp insertion. All of these characteristic structures are essential for the leukemogenic potential of gp55 of polycythemia-inducing isolates of F-SFFV (F-SFFVp). The 1-bp insertion causes changes of six amino acids and truncation by 34 amino acids at the C terminus. In this study, we constructed 12 mutant F-SFFV genomes starting from the wild-type F-SFFVp and examined the effect of the C-terminal truncation and the six altered amino acids on the pathogenic activity of gp55. The results indicated that at least 18 to 24 amino acids must be deleted from the C terminus for the env product to be pathogenically active. We also found that the six altered amino acids contributed significantly to the pathogenic activity of gp55. Analyses of the cellular processing of these mutant gp55s supported a correlation between the pathogenic activity of gp55 and its efficiency in overall cellular processing.

3T3 Cells↗

Sequence analysis of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) Env genes amplified from central nervous system tissues of patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy or leukemia.

Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus that has been linked to HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM)/tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP), a chronic or inflammatory neurological disease with some resemblance to multiple sclerosis. We used the polymerase chain reaction to amplify viral env genes in foci of inflammation and demyelination in the nervous system to adduce additional evidence of the association of HTLV-I with the neuropathological changes in HAM/TSP, and document in this report such an association. We also sought evidence of a distinct viral species in the lesions by amplifying, cloning and sequencing the env genes from tissues sections in which there were pathological changes. We did not find changes in the env gene that correlated with HTLV-I-associated neurological disease vs adult T cell leukemia or with the nervous system vs peripheral blood and lymphoid organs. We did, however, find evidence of extensive mutation and possibly deletions in the env gene in HTLV-I-associated neurological disease. We interpret these findings of increased genetic diversity as a reflection of higher rates of viral replication in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy that support a model of pathogenesis in which increased viral replication activates immune cells that subsequently enter the nervous system and cause injury by immunopathological mechanisms.

Adult↗

A vector system for introducing foreign HIV-1 env genes and pseudotyping of MuLV particles with the recombinant HIV-1 envelope proteins for anti-HIV-1 assay.

We attempted to incorporate the HIV-1 envelope proteins derived from various HIV-1 strains into MuLV particles for developing a rapid and safe anti-HIV-1 screening system. In a previous study, only HIV-1 envelope protein lacking cytoplasmic 144 amino acids has been reported to be able to incorporate into MuLV particles. We designed and constructed a vector, pcKCX, expressing the envelope glycoprotein with cytoplasmic truncation by introducing the partial foreign HIV-1 env gene corresponding to the ectodomain of its envelope protein. Three HIV-1 env genes of AD8, BaL or 89.6 strains were cloned, and the HIV-1/MuLV pseudotypes were generated in the transfected TELCeB6 cells with all the cloned plasmids. The pseudotypes displayed host specificity depending on their original HIV-1 strains and their infection to the target cells was inhibited by treatment of a potent anti-HIV-1 peptide C34. A stable cell clone against the HIV-1(BaL) strain was found to express the R5 tropic envelope glycoprotein on the cell surface and to produce continuously HIV-1(BaL)/MuLV pseudotypes. These results suggested that the vector system is useful for cloning of various foreign HIV-1 env genes and the recombinant envelope glycoproteins effectively incorporate into MuLV particles. The HIV-1/MuLV pseudotypes may be useful for anti-HIV-1 assay.

Cell Line↗