Sequence analysis of a highly divergent HIV-1-related lentivirus isolated from a wild captured chimpanzee

Virology. 1996 Jul 15;221(2):346-50. doi: 10.1006/viro.1996.0384.

Abstract

Two strains of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) isolated from chimpanzees (SIVCPZ-GAB and SIVCPZ-GAB2) originating from Gabon have previously been genetically characterized and shown to belong phylogenetically to the same lineage as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We describe the sequence analysis of a third HIV-1-related virus, SIVCPZ-ANT, isolated from a wild captured chimpanzee originating from Zaire. This virus displayed the same genetic organization as HIV-1 and was found to fall on the same lineage as HIV-1 and SIVCPZ-GAB. Protein sequence identity with SIVCPZ-GAB ranged from 72% (Pol) to 48% (Env) for the structural proteins, while a particularly divergent Vpu was found (only 25% identity to SIVCPZ-GAB). The V3 regions of the SIVCPZ isolates were exceptionally conserved in contrast to the high divergence of V3 among HIV-1 isolates. However, SIVCPZ-ANT did not show a greater degree of sequence similarity with SIVCPZ-GAB than with HIV-1 isolates and represents a quite divergent outgroup of the HIV-1 lineage. Our data suggest multiple introductions of HIV-1 in the human population and shed new light on the origin of the HIV-1 pandemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Ape Diseases / virology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Genes, env
  • Genes, vpu
  • Genome, Viral*
  • HIV-1 / classification
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pan troglodytes / virology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / veterinary*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / classification
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / isolation & purification

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U42720