Construction andIn VitroProperties of SIVmacMutants with Deletions in "Nonessential" Genes

• DOI: 10.1089/aid.1994.10.607
• Publication Date: 2009-03-16T18:36:35Z
• Authors: JAMES S. GIBBS; DEAN A. REGIER; RONALD C. DESROSIERS
• Keywords: clone (Java method); Simian immunodeficiency virus

The so-called "nonessential" genes of primate lentiviruses can be deleted without abrogating the ability virus to replicate under at least some cell culture conditions. In SIVmac, these are vif, vpx, vpr, and nef. Sequences in upstream region U3 LTR have also been shown dispensable for replication culture. We report here construction characterization a panel 40 single combination deletion mutants derived from pathogenic molecular clone SIVmac239. Deletion vpr gene caused little or no change growth properties SIVmac239 CEMx174 cells, rhesus monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), alveolar macrophages. vpx resulted greatly reduced rate primary PBMC macrophage cultures, but significant reduction cells. appeared greater effect on macrophages than PBMCs. vif dramatic all types tested. However, even Δ5, which contains deletions five targeted regions (vif, nef, U3), still albeit with delayed kinetics. alone had observable any Because disease induced by parental monkeys has well characterized is remarkably similar AIDS humans, this collection will useful relating vitro function vivo potential.