Bacterially produced HIV-2 env polypeptides specific for distinguishing HIV-2 from HIV-1 infections.
Five unique recombinant polypeptides, each encoded by a DNA segment representing a different region of the HIV-2 (NIH-Z strain) env gene, were produced at relatively high levels (greater than or equal to 5%) as cII-fusion products in Escherichia coli. These recombinant polypeptides were characterized serologically by the Western blot assay against a panel of HIV-2 and HIV-1 antibody-positive sera, and with normal human sera (HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody negative). Only those polypeptides that are encoded by a segment of the env gene from the N-terminal region of the transmembrane protein gp35 (amino acids 537 to 707) were immunoreactive. Three polypeptides (921, 996, and 997), each encoding this immunoreactive region of the HIV-2 (NIH-Z) gp35, reacted strongly and specifically with antibodies in sera from HIV-2-positive individuals, but not with antibodies in sera from HIV-1-positive or HIV-uninfected individuals. These results show that the N-terminal region of the HIV-2 gp35 contains a highly antigenic determinant which is strongly immunogenic in HIV-2-infected individuals. The gp35-encoded recombinant env polypeptides can potentially be used in diagnostic assays to specifically differentiate between HIV-2 and HIV-1 infections.
Zuber
M
M
Program Resources, Inc., Frederick, MD.
Samuel
K P
KP
Lautenberger
J A
JA
Kanki
P J
PJ
Papas
T S
TS
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012698:Serologic Tests
D015686:Gene Products, env; D011994:Recombinant Proteins