SEQUENCE DATA-ANALYSIS REVEALS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LSR2, THE RECOMBINANT FUSION PROTEIN MIMICING MYCOBACTERIUM-LEPRAE AND VIF OF BOVINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (BIV)

In the course of computer simulation study looking for active sites fo r the interaction between MHC II and T-7- a 12 residue long peptide of LSR2 - a recombinant fusion protein mimicing the native bacillus M.Le prae - an interesting relationship between the antigenicity of LSR2 an d VIF of BIF has come to light. Computer analysis study has revealed t his stretch of residue from 36 to 48 of LSR2 is highly antigenic. The experimental observation seems to confirm the role of this 12 residue peptide in antibody response. In an effort to determine whether a sign ificant sequence level relationship exists between this and any other known protein, the sequence homology of both protein and nucleic acid was studied. It is found that this 12 residue long peptide (T-7) of LS R2 is homologous with Viral Infectivity Factor (VIF) of the Bovine Imm unodefiency Virus (BIV). Homology with translated nucleic acid sequenc e also indicate the same fact. The VIF gene which codes for this prote in is known to be essential for ability of cell-free virus preparation to infect cells. These results lead to the question - whether this 12 residue long peptide which is common to both proteins play a role in their infectivity. Whether mutations in the peptide or elimination of this peptide from the protein and studying the effect of this on the d iseases themselves may help in controlling them is another important q uestion relevant to medical researchers.