Interpatient genetic variability of HIV-1 group O.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the genetic and phylogenetic characteristics of HIV-1 group O viruses.


METHODS
The env gene, encoding the gp160 glycoprotein, and a partial p24-encoding gag gene fragment of a Cameroonian (CA9) and a Gabonese (VI686) HIV-1 group O virus, isolated from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells of symptomatic patients, were sequenced, aligned with other representatives of group O for which the same region has been documented, and genetically and phylogenetically analysed.


RESULTS
Phylogenetic analysis of the env gene (gp160) revealed that CA9, VI686, ANT70, and four Ha strains formed a separate cluster, which was supported by 100% of all bootstrap trees. In addition, these seven isolates were part of the same clade in the p24 phylogeny. VAU and MVP5180 may represent two other subtypes.


CONCLUSIONS
We have characterized two group O viruses, originating from Cameroon and Gabon, which show a close evolutionary relationship to ANT70 and four Ha strains based on the entire env gene, suggestive of a first group O subgroup, tentatively named the HIV-1 group O env ANT70 clade or subtype.
Janssens
W
W
Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
Heyndrickx
L
L
Van der Auwera
G
G
Nkengasong
J
J
Beirnaert
E
E
Vereecken
K
K
Coppens
S
S
Willems
B
B
Fransen
K
K
Peeters
M
M
Ndumbe
P
P
Delaporte
E
E
van der Groen
G
G
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000235:genetics*; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160 / Q000235:genetics*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D017421:Sequence Analysis
D004279:DNA, Viral; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160