Molecular cloning and characterization of a German HIV-1 isolate

The genetic diversity of HIV-1 is well documented. Except for the HIV-1 isolate LAV-1BRU, no nucleic acid sequence of a European isolate of HIV-1 has been published to date. To further investigate the extent of the genetic variability and the evolution of HIV-1, we have isolated, cloned, and subsequently sequenced HIV-1 from a German patient with AIDS-related complex. Comparative studies of the nucleic acid sequence revealed that this isolate, designated HAN2, is highly divergent from the North American and African subtypes of HIV-1 and may represent a European subtype of HIV-1. Furthermore, a full-length molecular clone was derived from this isolate which was infectious in human T-cell lines. Therefore this new isolate will be particularly useful for studies on the genetic evolution and biology of HIV-1 as well as for testing antiviral substances and for developing vaccines.