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Nucleotide sequence analysis of puma lentivirus (PLV-14): genomic organization and relationship to other lentiviruses
R J Langley1, V M Hirsch, S J O'Brien
1Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Abstract:
The complete nucleotide sequence of an isolate of puma lentivirus (PLV-14) was obtained by an inverse polymerase chain reaction (I-PCR) technique and confirmed by conventional PCR. Both methods were used to amplify overlapping regions of proviral DNA, for cloning and sequencing, from genomic DNA isolated from PLV-14 infected Florida puma (Felis concolor coryi) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The provirus has a total length of 9100 nucleotides and the genomic organization of presumed protein coding regions are similar to those seen in other members of the lentivirus family, i.e., three large open reading frames gag, pol, and env as well as smaller intergenic regions that apparently encode regulatory proteins vif and 3' rev by positional and sequence similarity to those seen in other lentiviruses. Two additional open reading frames were identified in the env region and their function (if any) is unknown. The length of the PLV-14 long terminal repeat (LTR) was found to be shorter than the LTRs of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The sequence homology between PLV-14 and other lentiviruses demonstrates that PLV-14 is most closely related to FIV from domestic cats. However, the extent of sequence divergence of each retroviral gene segment is large (e.g., percentage sequence similarity between FIV and PLV-14 env is 8% amino acid and 37% nucleotide similarity), indicating relatively ancient divergence of these feline lentiviral genomes.
Insights
Researchers sequenced the puma lentivirus (PLV-14) genome, revealing its genetic makeup and relationship to other lentiviruses. This study enhances our understanding of feline lentiviral evolution and diversity.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Retroviruses
Background:
- Lentiviruses are a genus of retroviruses known to infect various mammalian species.
- Feline lentiviruses, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), cause immunosuppression in cats.
- Puma lentivirus (PLV-14) is a lentivirus identified in pumas, but its genomic characteristics and evolutionary relationships were not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complete nucleotide sequence of the puma lentivirus (PLV-14) isolate.
- To analyze the genomic organization and identify potential protein-coding regions.
- To investigate the evolutionary relationship between PLV-14 and other known lentiviruses, particularly FIV.
Main Methods:
- Inverse polymerase chain reaction (I-PCR) was employed to obtain the complete nucleotide sequence of PLV-14.
- Conventional PCR was used to amplify overlapping proviral DNA regions for confirmation.
- Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of PLV-14 infected Florida pumas (Felis concolor coryi).
Main Results:
- The complete PLV-14 provirus is 9100 nucleotides long.
- Genomic organization, including gag, pol, and env genes, is similar to other lentiviruses, with potential regulatory genes vif and 3' rev identified.
- PLV-14 is most closely related to FIV, but significant sequence divergence (e.g., 8% amino acid similarity in env) suggests ancient divergence.
Conclusions:
- The PLV-14 genome sequencing provides a comprehensive genetic blueprint for this puma lentivirus.
- PLV-14 shares genomic similarities with other lentiviruses, confirming its classification within this genus.
- The substantial genetic divergence between PLV-14 and FIV highlights distinct evolutionary paths within feline lentiviruses.