Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of HIV type 1 vpr sequences of South African strains.
HIV-1 subtype C is the prevalent subtype in South Africa, with non-C subtypes being sporadically detected. The accessory genes of subtype C have not been well studied in South Africa. In this study the HIV-1 vpr region of 58 strains was amplified, sequenced, and subtyped. Phylogenetic analysis characterized 54 strains as HIV-1 subtype C and 4 strains as HIV-1 subtype B. The amino acid sequence of the protein was also investigated. The overall amino acid sequence of Vpr was conserved as well as the motifs FPRPWL (34-39: IH1) and TYGDTW (49-54: IH2). The C-terminal was more variable. The importance of these motifs and variability needs to be addressed.
Romani
Bizhan
B
Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.
Glashoff
Richard
R
Engelbrecht
Susan
S
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013019:South Africa; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics*
D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C514912:vpr protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1