GAG-POL REGION DETERMINES THE TROPISM OF SIVAGM FOR HUMAN-CELLS

Simian immunodeficiency virus isolated from African green monkeys (SIV agm) does not grow in many of human cell lines such as CEM x 174, H9, and MT-4, but could replicate in some human cell lines. Sequence of SI Vagm responsible for its narrow host range was determined by making an d monitoring growth potential of chimeric clones between SIVagm and hu man immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The results obtained indica ted that the gag-pol region determines the observed narrow host range. By monitoring virus DNA synthesis and progeny virion production, the defect(s) of SIVagm in the replication in the restricted cells was dem onstrated to be located at early phase.