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Expression of alpha-bungarotoxin receptor subtypes in chick central nervous system during development.

Chick central nervous system (CNS) expresses alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha Bgtx) receptors. We have recently reported the purification and characterization of two alpha Bgtx receptor subtypes, alpha 7 and alpha 7-alpha 8 from chick optic lobe (COL). In order to study whether other alpha Bgtx receptor subtypes are present in other areas of the chick CNS, as well as their developmental expression, we used anti-alpha 7 and anti-alpha 8 subunit-specific antibodies to study alpha Bgtx receptors at different developmental stages in COL, brain and retina. We found that only the alpha 7 and alpha 7-alpha 8 subtypes are present at all developmental stages in chick COL and brain, where they represent 90% of all the alpha Bgtx receptors at embryonic day 19 and 1 day post hatching (D1). In chick retina, an alpha 8 subtype representing 50% of all alpha Bgtx receptors at D1 is present in addition to the alpha 7 and alpha 7-alpha 8 subtypes, and the expression of this alpha 8 subtype increases during neurodevelopment.

Animals↗

Actions of terazosin and its enantiomers at subtypes of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in vitro.

Terazosin and its enantiomers, antagonists of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, were studied in radioligand binding and functional assays to determine relative potencies at subtypes of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors in vitro. The racemic compound and its enantiomers showed high and apparently equal affinity for subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptors with Kl values in the low nanomolar range, and showed potent antagonism of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in isolated tissues, with the enantiomers approximately equipotent to the racemate at each alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype. At alpha 2b sites, R(+) terazosin bound less potently than either the S(-) enantiomer or racemate. R(+) terazosin was also less potent than the S(-) enantiomer or the racemate at rat atrial alpha 2B receptors. These agents were not significantly different in their potencies at alpha 2a or alpha 2A sites. Since the high affinity for alpha 2B sites of quinazoline-type alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists has been used to differentiate alpha 2-adrenoceptor subtypes, the low affinity of R(+) terazosin for these sites was unexpected. Because terazosin or its enantiomers are approximately equipotent at alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes, the lower potency of R(+) terazosin at alpha 2B receptors indicates a somewhat greater selectivity for alpha 1-compared to alpha 2B adrenoceptor subtypes. The possible pharmacological significance of this observation is discussed.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗

Fluorescent labelled analogues of neuropeptide Y for the characterization of cells expressing NPY receptor subtypes.

Porcine neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36 amino acid hormone of the pancreatic polypeptide family, and subtype selective analogues have been synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis. The peptides were labelled with Cy3, a commercially available fluorescent marker based on a cyanine dye, by solid phase strategy. During the cleavage a partial fragmentation of the fluorescent marker occurred. This has been investigated by means of HPLC and electrospray mass spectrometry. The labelled analogues of NPY showed high affinity to the NPY receptor subtypes Y1 and Y2. Thus, Cy3-NPY, Y1-selective Cy3-[Pro34] NPY and Y2 selective Cy3-[Ahx5-24] NPY were used to label SK-N-MC- and SMS-KAN-cells, which are stably expressing the Y1-(SK-N-MC) and the Y2-receptor subtype (SMS-KAN). The binding of the labelled analogues to the receptors was reversible and specific. The photoactivatable analogue, [(Tmd)Phe27] NPY, which showed high affinity to both receptor subtypes was labelled with Cy3 in solution. Whereas the fluorescent labelling of the cells with analogues without photoactivatable amino acid was reversible, successful photocrosslinking could be investigated by the irreversible staining of the cells using Cy3-[(Tmd)Phe27] NPY. These subtype selective analogues are exciting tools to trace receptors in tissues and to identify the pharmacologically characterized subtypes without radioactivity.

Animals↗

Meta-Merging the Transcriptomes of Gastric Tumors Redefines the Connections among Molecular and Clinical Subtypes.

INTRODUCTION: The availability of a large number of cancer expression profiles presents an excellent opportunity to re-investigate various biological and clinical questions. While several expression profiles have been established for different cancers, merging them may provide a more powerful platform for extensively extrapolating molecular and clinical features across multiple cohorts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, five gastric tumor expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus [GEO] and one in-house cohort comprising a total of 1,060 samples were merged. The batch effect was removed using non-parametric ComBat analysis, and the seamless merging of datasets was confirmed through various parameters. RESULTS: Extrapolation of ACRG [Asian Cancer Research Group] and TCGA [The Cancer Genome Atlas] molecular subtypes in the merged cohort of 1,060 gastric tumors revealed nine distinct clusters. Notably, the following patterns were observed: [i] mutual exclusivity between Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition [EMT] and Microsatellite Instability [MSI] subtypes in 90% of tumors; [ii] overlapping occurrence of EMT and MSI subtypes in the remaining tumors; [iii] overlap between MSI and Epstein-Barr Virus [EBV] subtype tumors; [iv] both commonalities and differences between EMT and Genomically Stable [GS] subtypes; and [v] an association between EBV positivity and PI3K mutation. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that compiling a larger expression profile is valuable for revisiting the molecular features and epidemiology associated with molecular subtypes, thereby aiding in the development of novel diagnostics and targeted therapeutics.

Humans↗

Predominance of HIV-1 subtype A and D infections in Uganda.

To better characterize the virus isolates associated with the HIV-1 epidemic in Uganda, 100 specimens from HIV-1-infected persons were randomly selected from each of two periods from late 1994 to late 1997. The 200 specimens were classified into HIV-1 subtypes by sequence- based phylogenetic analysis of the envelope (env) gp41 region; 98 (49%) were classified as env subtype A, 96 (48%) as D, 5 (2.5%) as C, and 1 was not classified as a known env subtype. Demographic characteristics of persons infected with the two principal HIV-1 subtypes, A and D, were very similar, and the proportion of either subtype did not differ significantly between early and later periods. Our systematic characterization of the HIV-1 epidemic in Uganda over an almost 3-year period documented that the distribution and degree of genetic diversity of the HIV subtypes A and D are very similar and did not change appreciably over that time.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Molecular subtyping of Bacillus anthracis and the 2001 bioterrorism-associated anthrax outbreak, United States.

Molecular subtyping of Bacillus anthracis played an important role in differentiating and identifying strains during the 2001 bioterrorism-associated outbreak. Because B. anthracis has a low level of genetic variability, only a few subtyping methods, with varying reliability, exist. We initially used multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) to subtype 135 B. anthracis isolates associated with the outbreak. All isolates were determined to be of genotype 62, the same as the Ames strain used in laboratories. We sequenced the protective antigen gene (pagA) from 42 representative outbreak isolates and determined they all had a pagA sequence indistinguishable from the Ames strain (PA genotype I). MLVA and pagA sequencing were also used on DNA from clinical specimens, making subtyping B. anthracis possible without an isolate. Use of high-resolution molecular subtyping determined that all outbreak isolates were indistinguishable by the methods used and probably originated from a single source. In addition, subtyping rapidly identified laboratory contaminants and nonoutbreak-related isolates.

Anthrax↗

Stroke subtypes in Sri Lanka--a hospital based study.

AIM: Data on stroke subtypes in Sri Lanka are limited, mainly due to the unavailability of brain imaging facilities in most government hospitals. In two leading private hospitals in Colombo, a high proportion of stroke patients have computerised tomography (CT) scanning. Hence we studied stroke patients admitted to these two hospitals to determine the stroke subtypes. METHODS: A prospective study of 103 consecutive first ever stroke patients who were under the care of the first author during the period 15 May 1995 to 30 August 1996 were studied. Diagnosis of stroke was made according to the WHO definition, and transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) were not included. The pathological subtype was confirmed by CT scan in 99 patients. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 37 to 94 years (mean 64.5). 87 patients were over the age of 50 years. The proportion of pathological subtypes confirmed by CT scanning was cerebral infarction (CI) 74.7%, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) 19.1% and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) 62.2%. Of the infarcts 31 (42%) were cortical, 30 (41%) lacunar, 12 (16%) cerebellar and brainstem, and 1 (1.3%) was a border zone infarct. CONCLUSION: Direct comparisons with stroke subtypes seen in other countries are not valid due to differences in methodology. In developed countries in the West cerebral infarcts account for about 80% of all first ever strokes and of these 13 to 21% are lacunar strokes. Countries in the East (e.g. Japan and Hong Kong) have reported a higher proportion of haemorrhages (27% of first ever strokes in Hong Kong). In Sri Lanka the proportion of stroke subtypes seem to be intermediate between these countries in the West and East. Lacunar strokes are commoner in Sri Lanka than in other countries.

Adult↗

Hepatitis B surface antigen disappearance and hepatitis B surface antigen subtype: a prospective, long-term, follow-up study of Japanese residents of Okinawa, Japan with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

To determine the natural course of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) disappearance in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the factors related to its disappearance, 946 HBsAg carriers in Okinawa, Japan were prospectively followed for up to 19 years (mean = 9.2 years). The disappearance of HBsAg, as determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA), was observed in 62 (6.6%) and the overall annual disappearance rate was 0.79%/year. Its disappearance was more frequent in 60 (7.4%) of 815 serum samples negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) by RIA at entry compared with only two (1.5%) of 131 serum samples that were HBeAg positive by RIA at entry (P < 0.05). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age and HBsAg subtype were significantly associated with HBsAg disappearance (both P < 0.05), and that carriers with subtype adr (odds ratio = 2.87) had an increased probability of clearing HBsAg compared with carriers with subtype adw. Conversely, HBeAg disappearance was earlier in those with the adw subtype than in those with adr. Hepatitis B virus DNA was not detected by the polymerase chain reaction after HBsAg disappearance in any of the 62 from whom it had disappeared. The HBsAg titer, as measured by reverse passive hemagglutination, was related to the time to its disappearance; the higher the titer, the longer the time to disappearance. These findings suggest that HBeAg negativity, a more advanced age, and low titers of HBsAg are favorable factors for HBsAg disappearance in the natural course of chronic HBV infection. Moreover, HBsAg subtype adr was a predictive factor for HBsAg disappearance, whereas subtype adw was predictive of early HBeAg disappearance.

Adolescent↗

Immunohistochemical co-expression of c-erbb-2/Neu oncoprotein, altered tumour suppressor (p53) protein, EGF-R and EMA in histological subtypes of infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast.

Carcinoma of the breast has an unpredictable biological behaviour. Several oncogenes have been implicated in the progression of breast cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of c-erbB-2 (Neu) oncoprotein and mutant p53 protein on 45 cases of infiltrating duct carcinoma (IDC) of the breast revealed 33% membrane positivity of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, 46% nuclear positivity of mutated p53 protein, 33% and 84% membrane positivity of EGF-R and EMA respectively. Staining profile of c-erb-B2 oncoprotein in various histological subtypes of IDC of the breast indicated a high positivity rate in comedo followed by NOS and cibriform subtype. Similarly, high incidence of immunopositivity of mutated p53 protein was observed in comedo and cibriform subtypes while papillary carcinoma were found exclusively positive for mutated p53 protein. Interestingly, tubular subtype of IDC was not positive for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein as well as p53 mutant protein. Further, comedo and cibriform subtypes of IDC revealed 'high grade' histological features of tumour of the breast with high mitotic count, presence of marked pleomorphism and multinucleation thus, reflecting a positive relationship with overexpression of c-erbB-2 (Neu) oncoprotein as well as mutant p53 protein. The results on immunoexpression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and mutated p53 protein in various histological subtypes of IDC of the breast demonstrated c-erbB-2 status as an important predictor and also indicated that oncogene product may be involved in growth factor response pathway.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Calculated flexibility of histone proteins correlate with mammalian histone H1 subtype.

We have calculated the polypeptide flexibility index for mammalian histone H1 sequences obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information Histone Sequence Database. This database contains over 1000 histone protein entries, from various species, compiled from SWISS_PROT, PIR, the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and CDS translations from GenBank. Histone H1 proteins were analyzed because of their critical role in chromatin structure and gene expression. Flexibility calculations revealed that histone subtype H1.0, which accumulates during terminal differentiation, has the highest flexibility index of all mammalian H1 subtypes. Other mammalian H1 subtypes had lower flexibility indices, including the human H1.2 subtype whose mRNA contains both a hairpin loop sequence and a poly(A) addition sequence. Histone mRNAs containing both of these structures have been shown to be expressed prior to and after terminal differentiation, yet these proteins do not necessarily accumulate in the chromatin of terminally differentiated cells. H1.2 and the H1.t have the lowest flexibility index (most ridged) of all human H1 subtypes. All human H1 proteins of the replication dependent subtypes have intermediate values for their flexibility indices.

Databases, Factual↗

Molecular epidemiology of vertical human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission in Greece: evidence of non-B subtypes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the subtype classification of the circulating virus strains among human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children in Greece. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Since the beginning of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Greece in 1982, 23 children have been reported to be vertically infected with HIV-1. Blood samples were available for 19 of these children, and the C2-C4 env region was successfully amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 16 subjects. HIV-1 subtype was established by the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) in 16 subjects and confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis in 8 subjects. RESULTS: Most subjects (9; 56%) fell into subtype B. However, a substantial proportion (44%) were classified as subtypes A (3; 19%), C (1; 6%), D (1; 6%), and I (2; 12%). According to epidemiologic information, 5 of 7 children infected with non-B HIV-1 subtypes were born to Greek parents. CONCLUSION: These findings clearly suggest that non-B strains have been introduced into Greece, providing evidence that HIV epidemic in this country will probably change profile over time. In addition, subtype I was identified in 2 HIV-1-infected children, both of whom were born to Greek parents.

Adolescent↗

Molecular evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype A in Senegal: 1988-1997.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have been able to track the genetic diversity of HIV-1 viruses in human populations over time. We analyzed the molecular evolution of subtype A over a 10-year period, in a cohort of female sex workers with a known time of infection. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: We amplified and sequenced the C2-V3 region of the surface envelope glycoprotein from 73 HIV-1-infected women, infected between 1987-1997. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were infected by subtype A viruses. The viruses demonstrated significant diversification (p < 0.001) with mean genetic distance increasing from 8.6% in 1989 to 15.9% in 1997. The slope of the fitted curve suggested a rate of diversification of 0.7% per year. The majority of subtype A viruses clustered with HIV-1 subtype A/G recombinant form (IbNG). CONCLUSION: The genetic diversity of HIV-1 subtype A infections doubled over the first 10 years of this high risk population's epidemic, suggesting that implementation of vaccines early in the epidemic may have a higher likelihood of success based on levels of genetic diversity. The A/G recombinant form (IbNG) has taken epidemic proportions in West Africa. This is of particular importance in understanding the epidemiology of HIV-1 subtypes in Africa and to further dissect the potential phenotypic and biological characteristics of these viruses.

Cohort Studies↗

Sertraline treatment for alcohol dependence: interactive effects of medication and alcoholic subtype.

BACKGROUND: Characteristic behaviors of some alcohol-dependent individuals, e.g., binge drinking, comorbid psychopathology, and some types of alcohol-related problems, have been linked to abnormalities in serotonergic neurotransmission. However, studies that have evaluated serotonergic pharmacotherapy for reducing drinking have yielded conflicting results. One explanation for these findings is a general failure to distinguish alcohol subgroups that may be differentiated on the basis of serotonergic abnormalities. However, in 1996, Kranzler and colleagues reported that Type B alcoholics, who are characterized by high levels of premorbid vulnerability, alcohol dependence severity, and comorbid psychopathology, showed less favorable drinking outcomes in response to treatment with fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, than with placebo. This medication effect was not seen in Type A alcoholics, i.e., those with lower risk/severity of alcoholism and psychopathology. The aim of the present study was to explore the validity of differential responding by alcohol-dependent subtypes using the serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline. METHODS: A k-means clustering procedure was applied to a sample of alcohol-dependent subjects enrolled in a 14-week, placebo-controlled trial of 200 mg/day of sertraline, classifying them into lower-risk/severity (Type A: n = 55) and higher-risk/severity (Type B: n = 45) subgroups. RESULTS: A significant interaction between alcoholic subtype and medication condition was found, confirming the findings of Kranzler and colleagues that alcoholic subtypes responded differentially to serotonergic medication. Somewhat at variance with their results, however, the present study showed that the lower risk/severity (Type A) subjects had more favorable outcomes when treated with sertraline compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Alcoholic subtypes differentially responded to sertraline when used as a treatment to reduce alcohol drinking, with one subtype having more favorable outcomes. Subtyping alcoholics may help to resolve conflicting findings in the literature on serotonergic treatment of alcohol dependence.

Adolescent↗

Differential roles of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtypes 1 and 2 in opiate withdrawal and in relapse to opiate dependence.

The possible effects on the morphine withdrawal signs of the nonspecific corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonist alpha-helical CRF, the selective CRF receptor subtype 1 antagonist CP-154,526 and the selective CRF receptor subtype 2 antagonist antisauvagine-30 (AS-30) were investigated in rats. The most withdrawal signs, including jumping, teeth chatter, writhing, shakes, lacrimation, piloerection, irritability and diarrhoea, were attenuated by pretreatment with alpha-helical CRF (10 microg i.c.v.) and CP-154,526 (30 mg/kg i.p.). However, no morphine withdrawal signs except for diarrhea were significantly affected by pretreatment with AS-30 (10 microg, i.c.v.). To investigate the possible role of different CRFR antagonists (alpha-helical CRF, CP-154,526 and AS-30) in relapse to opiate dependence, the 28-day extinction of morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP) was used. The morphine-CPP disappeared following a 28-day extinction and then was reactivated by a single injection of 10 mg/kg morphine. Pretreatment with alpha-helical CRF (10 microg, i.c.v.) and CP-154, 526 (30 mg/kg, i.p.) could significantly block this reactivation of morphine-CPP. In contrast, pretreatment with AS-30 (1 or 10 microg i. c.v.) did not affect this reactivation of morphine-CPP. The present study demonstrated that activation of the CRF receptor is involved in morphine withdrawal signs and relapse to morphine dependence, and that the role of CRF receptor subtypes 1 and 2 in withdrawal and reactivation of morphine dependence is not identical. CRF receptor subtype 1, but not subtype 2, is largely responsible for the action of the CRF system on opiate dependence. These results suggest that the CRF receptor antagonists, particularly the CRF receptor subtype 1 antagonist, might be of some value in the treatment and prevention of drug dependence.

Animals↗

[1:7 ratio in the distribution of adw and ayw subtypes in a population of HBs Ag-positive hepatitis patients in northern Italy].

The subtypes of HBsAg have been determined in 41 cases of acute type B hepatitis by counterelectrophoresis (CEP) using mono-specific D (anti-d), Y (anti-y), W (anti-w) and R (anti-r) antisera following Dr. Holland's technique. In 36 cases (87.8 percent) the subtype was ayw and in 5 (12.3 per cent) adw. Neither r subtypes nor simultaneous presence in the same patient of both d and y subtypes were detected. The subtype distribution in Itayl is closely related to the observed distribution of d/y subtypes in the Mediterranean countries, except for Spain, showing a pattern similar to that of Central and Northern Europe countries.

Blood Group Antigens↗

Molecular and pharmacological characterization of muscarinic receptor subtypes in a rat parotid gland cell line: comparison with native parotid gland.

The molecular and pharmacological characteristics of muscarinic receptor subtypes in the rat parotid acinar cell line, PAR-C5, were determined and compared with native rat parotid glands to evaluate the PAR-C5 cell line as a model to study receptor-mediated secretion. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) identified mRNAs for M(3), M(4), and M(5) receptor subtypes in both PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands. Specific [N-methyl-(3)H]scopolamine binding in PAR-C5 and parotid membranes was to a single class of sites with mean K(D) values of 0.38 and 0.64 nM, respectively. Binding affinities (K(I) values) of muscarinic receptor subtype-selective drugs were obtained in side-by-side experiments comparing PAR-C5 cells with parotid glands. Nonlinear regression analysis indicated that competition binding curves for drugs in PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands fit best to a one-site binding model. K(I) values (nM) in PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands, respectively, for atropine (1.0, 2.1), darifenacin (1.2, 2.0), 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) (2.9, 2.4), tripitramine (220, 180), pirenzepine (320, 720), and methoctramine (1400, 1700) were consistent with their known affinities at the M(3) receptor subtype. Affinities (K(B) values) of muscarinic receptor subtype-selective drugs for blocking methacholine-stimulated Ca(2+) mobilization were determined to show which subtype mediates Ca(2+)-dependent secretion in Fura-2-loaded PAR-C5 cells. K(B) values (nM) for atropine (0.44), 4-DAMP (0.38), pirenzepine (140), and methoctramine (320) for blocking Ca(2+) responses correlated well with their known affinities at the M(3) receptor (r(2) = 0.99). These results show that at the level of mRNA, receptor protein and function, PAR-C5 cells and parotid glands are similar, establishing PAR-C5 cells as an important model for muscarinic receptor-mediated secretion.

Animals↗

[Identification of microbial subtypes from antibiotic susceptibility data in clinical laboratory for nosocomial infection surveillance].

We developed an algorism to identify microbial subtypes automatically from daily antibiotic susceptibility data in clinical microbiology laboratory. The susceptibility pattern was expressed as a string of digits, each consisting of 0(resistant), 1(intermediate) or 2(susceptible) to respective antibiotics. Any two patterns were regarded identical and combined if the difference at each digit never exceeds 1. The combined pattern was expressed as an array of digit-by-digit weighted averages of the two. The second combination was based on a degree of similarity among the numerical patterns using a formula, which was designed to emphasize differences in highly variable elements. This subgrouping procedure was done every three months. Identity of the detected subtypes between the intervals was determined using the same algorism as for the second combination. The algorism was applied to data of clinical isolates of MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), Enterococcus faecalis (EF), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), Escherichia coli (EC) that were obtained over a period of 4 years. Three major subtypes of MRSA, KP and EF were consistently detected with shifting mutual frequencies. Most of EC isolates belonged to two consistent subtypes. Although PA and SP had one or two consistent subtypes, there were multiple minor subtypes of varying frequencies. This analysis is regarded as an "infotyping", in contrast to serotype or genotype, of clinical microbial isolates, which is useful for nosocomial infection surveillance.

Algorithms↗

Genotypic subtyping of the HIV-1 polymerase gene in 30 naåve patients from Thailand.

To investigate the subtype classification of the circulating virus strains among infected Thai patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). A random population of patients who were HIV-1 antibody positive after two independent screening assays was selected. HIV RNA from plasma samples was reverse-transcribed and amplified with specific primers that annealed to conserve regions of the HIV-1 pol gene. Amplified products were sequenced directly by using an automated sequencer. The sequencing products represent about 1.2 kb of the pol gene from each patient and they were phylogenetically analyzed and compared to the corresponding pol sequences of the published HIV-1 sequences of known genotypes. Genotype E was found in 25 of 30 patients (83.3%), and 5 patients (16.7%) were HIV-1 genotype B. The result confirmed that HIV-1 subtype E is still predominant in Thailand. Genotype B is found frequently, but there have been no examples of genotype A. In concordance with the serotypic assay, which was previously reported using the V3-peptide enzyme immunoassay (V3-PEIA), the genotypic assay of subtype E was high, at 80% and 83.3% in serotyping and genotyping, respectively. These findings of two subtypes with low heterogeneity indicate that Thailand may be a desirable site for evaluating candidate HIV-1 antiretroviral drugs and vaccines. The mixture of subtype E and B' strains also offers the opportunity to study phenotypic differences between the two subtypes.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases↗