Characterization of a Virtually Full-Length Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Genome of a Prevalent Intersubtype (C/B′) Recombinant Strain in China

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.74.23.11367-11376.2000
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T10:06:23Z
• Authors: Ling Su; Marcus Graf; Yuanzhi Zhang; Hagen von Briesen; Hui Xing; Josef Köstler; Holger Melzl; Hans Wolf; Yiming Shao; Ralf Wagner
• Keywords: Coding region; Recombinant virus

A molecular epidemiology study was conducted among more than 100 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C seropositive intravenous drug users (IDUs) from China. Genotyping based on the envelope C2V3 coding region revealed highest homology of most prevalent strains circulating throughout China to sequences Indian origin. Based these results, a virtually full-length genome representing class clade directly amplified peripheral blood mononuclear cells selected HIV-infected IDU and subcloned. Sequence analysis identified mosaic structure, suggesting extensive intersubtype recombination events between genomes (B')-subtype Thai that geographic region. Recombinant Identification Program phylogenetic bootstrapping suggested there were 10 breakpoints (i) in gag-pol region, (ii) vpr at 3' end vpu gene, (iii) nef open reading frame. (B')-sequences therefore include several insertions region; 3'-vpr, complete first exons tat rev; 5' half gene. Breakpoints located vpr/vpu as well gene 97cn54 found almost identical positions all isolated IDUs living different areas China, common ancestor for C/B' recombinant strains. More 50% well-defined B-derived cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes within Gag Pol 10% known Env exactly match this chimeric reference strain. These results may substantially facilitate biological comparison C-derived generation useful reagents supporting vaccine-related efforts