Infectious DNA of the human spumaretrovirus

An infectious molecular clone (pHSRV) of the human Spumaretrovirus (HSRV) was constructed using viral DNA and cDNA clones. The infectivity of pHSRV was proven by transfection of cell cultures and subsequent infection of susceptible cultures with cell free transfection derived virus. pHSRV derived virus produced foamy virus typical cytopathic effects in susceptible cultures. Infected cells could be stained specifically with foamy virus antisera by means of indirect immunofluorescence. Radioimmunoprecipitation revealed the presence of characteristic HSRV structural proteins in pHSRV infected cultures. By cotransfection of pHSRV and an indicator plasmid it was found that pHSRV is able to transactivate the viral LTR. Viral transcripts were found to be approximately 200 bases longer in pHSRV infected cultures compared to wildtype infected cultures. This difference is most likely due to an insertion of DNA of non-viral origin in the U3 region of the 3'LTR of the infectious clone.