An electron-lucent region within the virion distinguishes HIV-1 from HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus.
Ultrastructural comparisons of immature or budding particles of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus of macaques (SIVmac) revealed no significant difference between these genetically distinct, but related, viruses. However, a region encompassing the core of mature HIV-1 virions was found to be more electron lucent than that observed in HIV-2 and SIVmac. This ultrastructural distinction cannot be attributed to HIV-1-specific vpu, HIV-2/SIV-specific vpx, or virion-associated vpr gene products.
Yu
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Department of Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Matsuda
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Yu
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Ito
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Essex
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Lee
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D015497:HIV-1 / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000648:ultrastructure*