title: Infectious cDNA clone of the hepatitis C virus genotype 1 prototype sequence.
abstract: A full-length cDNA clone of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 prototype (subtype 1a) sequence was constructed. Synthetic RNA produced from the initial cDNA clone was not infectious following intrahepatic inoculation of a chimpanzee. A consensus clone was prepared by comparison with multiple full-length HCV sequences of genotypes 1, 2 and 3. A total of 11 non-consensus amino acid residues were altered by mutagenesis. Synthetic RNA from the repaired clone initiated a typical, acute-resolving HCV infection following intrahepatic inoculation of a chimpanzee. In addition, at least one of three chimeric cDNA clones constructed between the HCV-1 and H77 genotype 1a strains of HCV was infectious in a chimpanzee. This is the first example of an infectious chimeric HCV clone. An infectious cDNA clone of HCV-1 will be of particular value, since it is the prototype HCV sequence and many commonly used reagents are based on this sequence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology and Immunology1 and Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine2, Southwest Regional Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Lanford
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology and Immunology1 and Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine2, Southwest Regional Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology and Immunology1 and Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine2, Southwest Regional Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology and Immunology1 and Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine2, Southwest Regional Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology and Immunology1 and Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine2, Southwest Regional Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, 7620 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brasky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016384:Consensus Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics*; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D012367:RNA, Viral