Full-length nucleotide sequence of a simian TT virus isolate obtained froma chimpanzee: Evidence for a new TT virus-like species

Recently, we identified TT virus (TTV) isolates from nonhuman primates and named them simian TN (s-TTV). To characterize the genomic structure of thes e isolates in more detail, the full-length nucleotide sequence of the s=TTV isolate (designated s-TTV CH65-1), recovered from a chimpanzee born in Wes t Africa, was amplified by nested PCR with inverted primers deduced from th e untranslated region of s-TTV DNA. CH65-1 was composed of 3899 nucleotides (nt) and had two open reading frames (ORF) spanning 2295 nt (ORF1) and 402 nt (ORF2). The sequence had only 52.3% similarity to the prototype TA278 h uman isolate. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CH65-1 was distinct f rom the human TN isolates. These results suggested that s-TTV may represent a new TTV-like viral species or genus. (C) 2000 Academic Press.