Nucleotide sequence of the envelope gene of radiation leukemia virus

The nucleotide sequence and the predicted amino acid sequence of the envelope gene (env) of RadLV/VL3 (T+L+) has been determined. RadLV/VL3 (T+L+) is a highly thymotropic (T+) and leukemogenic (L+) murine recombinant retrovirus continuously produced at high titer by BL/VL3 cells, a line established in culture from a radiation leukemia virus (RadLV)-induced C57BL/Ka mouse thymic lymphoma. The envelope gene is strikingly similar (92% homologous) to that encoded by the ecotropic Akv-MuLV. Among the differences, 134 scattered, although unevenly distributed point mutations (6.4%), two 9-bp deletions as well as a 6-bp insertion were observed (which result in 49 amino acid changes in the env gene of RadLV/VL3 (T+L+)).