CHARACTERIZATION OF A C-TYPE RETROVIRUS ISOLATED FROM AN HIV-INFECTEDCELL-LINE - COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE

As previously reported, a C-type retrovirus, referred to as retrovirus X was isolated from HIV infected cells. In order to further character ize this virus, the proviral DNA was cloned and sequenced. The organiz ation of the genome (8379 bp) appeared to be typical of the mammalian type C retroviruses. The virus was shown to be closely related to the gibbon ape leukaemia virus (GALV) with 87% similarity when the sequenc e was compared with the published genome of the Seato strain of GALV. At the level of the long terminal repeat where comparison was possible with other strains, the closest relationship was found with the San F rancisco strain of GALV and with the simian sarcoma virus. These resul ts suggest that the isolate should be considered as a strain of GALV.