Feline foamy virus-mediated marker gene transfer: identification of essential genetic elements and influence of truncated and chimeric proteins.
Retroviral vectors derived from foamy or spumaretroviruses are considered promising tools for targeted gene delivery and vaccination purposes. In order to fully exploit this potential, we identified essential cis-acting sequences on the feline foamy virus (FFV) genome by constructing and analyzing a series of FFV-based replication-deficient vector genomes. Cis-acting sequences essentially required for marker gene transfer were found to be localized at two sites on the FFV genome: (i) in the 5'-untranslated region and close to the gag ATG and (ii) in the central part of the pol gene. The presence of two cis-acting sequences and their relative location on the FFV genome are similar but not identical to the functionally corresponding elements described for simian and primate foamy viruses.
Bastone
Patrizia
P
Department Genome Modifications and Carcinogenesis, Focus Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany.
Bravo
Ignacio G
IG
Löchelt
Martin
M
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D002460:Cell Line; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D015751:Genes, pol; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D016092:Spumavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase