EXPRESSION OF THE GIBBON APE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS RECEPTOR-1 IN RHESUS MACAQUE TISSUES

A cDNA fragment specific for the rhesus macaque gibbon ape leukemia vi rus (GaLV) receptor (Glvr-1) was isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and oligonucleotide primers specific for human Gl vr-1 and a cDNA library derived from rhesus macaque brain. Sequence an alysis of the fragment revealed the polypeptide domain necessary for i nfection by GaLV. This fragment was utilized to elucidate expression l evels of Glvr-1 RNA in rhesus macaque tissues. By Northern blot analys is, Glvr-1 RNA is most abundantly expressed in the thymus and bone mar row, with detectable levels also in the brain and testes of juvenile m ale macaques. In the developing 70-days gestation fetus, Glvr-1 expres sion was observed predominately in the liver and spleen. Although addi tional studies are required, these studies support the notion that cel l types involved in hematopoiesis express Glvr-1.