Related Experiment Videos
Nef genes of SIV
H W Kestler1, K Mori, D P Silva
1New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, MA.
Journal of Medical Primatology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
This study shows that the nef gene is essential for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication in vivo. Mutant viruses lacking functional nef were selected in vitro, but functional nef was selected in vivo, indicating its crucial role.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The nef gene of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) plays a role in viral pathogenesis.
- Understanding nef's function is critical for developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the SIV nef gene in viral replication and infectivity in vivo.
- To compare the in vitro and in vivo selection of SIV nef variants.
Main Methods:
- Construction of molecular clones of SIVmac differing only in nef gene sequences.
- Transfection of viral DNA and replication in macaque peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) cultures.
- Infection of rhesus monkeys with molecularly cloned SIVmac.
Main Results:
- Virus with functional or non-functional nef replicated similarly in PBL cultures.
- All tested SIVmac variants infected rhesus monkeys.
- In vivo, functional nef sequences were selected, with stop codon reversion observed in infected animals.
Conclusions:
- The nef gene plays a crucial role in the SIV life cycle in vivo.
- In vitro selection favors nef mutants, while in vivo selection favors functional nef, suggesting distinct selective pressures.