title: Feline foamy virus-mediated marker gene transfer: identification of essential genetic elements and influence of truncated and chimeric proteins.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department Genome Modifications and Carcinogenesis, Focus Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bastone
authors.forename: Ignacio G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Löchelt
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D001616:beta-Galactosidase