Molecular diversity of SIVsmm/PBj and a cognate variant, SIVsmm/PGg

The molecular diversity of SIVsmm/PBj proviral genomes in tissues of an infected macaque was analyzed. Molecular clones derived directly from intestinal tissue DNA were heterogenous, and contained LTRs with one or two NF-kB binding sites. LTRs with one NF-kB site predominated (approximately 75%). Virions derived from biologically active chimeric DNA clones with one or two NF-kB sites did not induce the acute death syndrome characteristic of PBj infection. These results suggest that either the duplicated NF-kB site acts in concert with other important viral determinants, or plays no role in producing the PBj syndrome.