Analysis of partial gag and env gene sequences of HIV type 1 strains from southern Africa
Date
1995
Authors
Becker M.L.B.
De Jager G.
Becker W.B.
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Abstract
HIV-1 is spreading at an exponential rate in southern Africa, with a current doubling time of approximately one year. An estimated 2 million of South Africa's 36 million population are already infected with HIV. Information on the extent of variability of HIV-1 sequences in the region is important for the development of vaccines, the evaluation of new therapies, and for structure/function studies of the viral genome and proteins. The authors isolated and partially sequenced local strains of the virus. The first strain sequenced was determined to be a new subtype of HIV-1, designated subtype C(2). HIV-1 subtypes B and D are also circulating within southern Africa. The derived phylogenetic trees for the various strains are presented. It is possible that southern African HIV-1 strains have evolved from Central African ones during their spread southward over time and geographic distance. The data on HIV-1 env and gag gene variability presented in this paper have implications for the design of vaccines intended for use in southern Africa and India. The results also establish new limits of variability for the virus, by extending the phylogenetic tree along a new branch.
Description
Keywords
gag protein, virus envelope protein, clinical article, dna sequence, female, human, human cell, human immunodeficiency virus 1, human immunodeficiency virus infection, male, note, polymerase chain reaction, priority journal, virus genome, Africa, Africa South Of The Sahara, Biology, Developing Countries, Diseases, English Speaking Africa, Genetics, Hiv, Hiv Infections, Research Report, South Africa, Southern Africa, Viral Diseases, Africa, Southern, Base Sequence, Female, Genes, env, Genes, gag, HIV-1, Human, Male, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Citation
AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
11
10
11
10