Expression of reverse transcriptase activity of human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III/LAV) in Escherichia...

The pol gene from a biologically active clone of the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III provirus was inserted into a bacterial expression vector. The resulting gene fusion induced the formation of active reverse transcriptase that could be readily detected in extracts of bacterial cells. The activity exhibited the template and divalent cation requirements of the authentic enzyme. These constructs will be useful for safe and rapid analysis of potential inhibitors of this important enzyme.