S71 is a phylogenetically distinct human endogenous retroviral element with structural and sequence homology to simian sarcoma virus (SSV).
Human endogenous retroviral element S71 had previously been shown to contain gag- and pol-related regions and a 3' LTR-like sequence. The nucleotide sequence of S71 was determined and compared with the corresponding regions of SSV and its helper virus SSAV. The 1.48-kb S71 gag region consists of matrix protein p15 (MA)-, capsid protein p30 (CA)-, and nucleocapsid protein p10 (NC)-related sections and the 1.82-kb pol region of tether, RNase H (RH), and endonuclease/integrase (IN) sections. The S71 nucleotide sequence contains a 167 amino acid open reading frame encompassing MA. The boundaries of the S71 element are delimited by direct repeats and the entire element is 5.4 kb long. Similarity between S71 and the v-sis-bearing, defective SSV provirus also covers overall structural organization, including the presence of presumably nonretroviral sequences. Both the gag and the pol regions of S71 contain sequences highly conserved in numerous retroviruses. Phylogenetic analysis with conserved CA, RH, and IN sequences showed that of all other (C-type) human retroviral elements available for comparison, S71 is most closely related to infectious primate and murine retroviruses. This suggests that S71 represents a phylogenetic subgroup of its own. In addition we identified short ranges of conserved amino acid sequences within C-type retroviral gag and pol genes sufficient for phylogenetic analysis. Use of these may facilitate large-scale phylogenetic evaluation of C-type retroviral elements and allow rapid classification of new elements.
Werner
T
T
GSF-Institut für Säugetiergenetik, Neuherberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Brack-Werner
R
R
Leib-Mösch
C
C
Backhaus
H
H
Erfle
V
V
Hehlmann
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000235:genetics; D015750:Genes, gag; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015301:Retroviruses, Simian / Q000235:genetics*; D012842:Sarcoma Virus, Woolly Monkey / Q000235:genetics*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015684:Gene Products, pol; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins