title: Molecular analysis of HIV type 1 vif sequences from Cape Town, South Africa.
abstract: South Africa has the highest number of HIV-1-infected individuals in the world, with HIV-1 subtype C prevailing. However, HIV-1 subtype C accessory genes are rarely characterized in the country. These genes are important for establishing viral pathogenesis. The Vif protein has been shown to counteract the antiretroviral activity of APOBEC3G/F cytidine deaminases. In this study an additional 50 HIV-1 vif sequences are characterized. These include 48 HIV-1 subtype C and 2 HIV-1 subtype B sequences. Highly conserved HIV-1 subtype C motifs are outlined. The previously identified RLRR (90-93) motif does not seem to be conserved among our newly analyzed sequences. Conserved motifs can be useful for developing new vaccine strategies or antiretroviral drugs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Virology, National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg 7505, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Graeme B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nistal
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laten
authors.forename: Estrelita Janse
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: van Rensburg
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rethwilm
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Preiser
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bodem
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Engelbrecht
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D005260:Female; D016346:Gene Products, vif / Q000235:genetics*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D016346:Gene Products, vif