Characterization and complete nucleotide sequence of an unusual reptilian retrovirus recovered from the order Crocodylia.
A novel group of retroviruses found within the order Crocodylia are described. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that they are probably the most divergent members of the Retroviridae described to date; even the most conserved regions of Pol show an average of only 23% amino acid identity when compared to other retroviruses.
Martin
Joanne
J
Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, United Kingdom. jmartin01@ac.ic.uk
Kabat
Peter
P
Herniou
Elisabeth
E
Tristem
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012104:Reptiles / Q000821:virology*; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA