title: Genetic variability of the AIDS virus: nucleotide sequence analysis of two isolates from African patients.
abstract: To define further the genetic variability of the human AIDS retrovirus, we have cloned and sequenced the complete genomes of two isolates obtained from Zairian patients. Their genetic organization is identical with that of isolates from Europe and North America, confirming a common evolutionary origin. However, the comparison of homologous proteins from these different isolates reveals a much greater extent of genetic polymorphism than previously observed. It is nevertheless possible to define conserved domains in the viral proteins, especially in the envelope, that could be of interest for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenicity and for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic reagents.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology*; D000350:Africa, Central; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015683:Gene Products, gag; D012191:Retroviridae Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes