Molecular characterization of a full-length genome of a HIV-2 isolate from India.
BACKGROUND
India accounts for 95% of HIV-2 infections in Asia. Molecular epidemiological studies have been performed on HIV-2 partial envelope gene and LTR sequences from isolates in India. Although, a single full-length sequence of an isolate from India is available in the GenBank, a comprehensive molecular analysis of a large number of HIV-2 isolates would be essential for understanding the genomic heterogeneity of HIV-2 isolates prevalent in the country.


METHODS
In this study, we determined the complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of a HIV-2 isolate that was obtained by coculture of infected cells. An extensive full-length genome analysis was performed with sequences available from the GenBank.


RESULTS
The isolate belonged to HIV-2 subtype A. Comparison of the genomic sequence with those of the 18 full-length sequences obtained from the GenBank showed the genetic distance ranging from 7.8% with CRIK (subtype A, India) to 30% with EHO (subtype B, Cote d'ivoire).


CONCLUSIONS
Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this isolate exhibited close homology with CRIK. Analysis of the gene sequences indicated presence of 2 mutations associated with drug resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Mutations associated with protease inhibitors were not observed in the isolate.
Gurjar
Susmita R
SR
Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
Mangaiarkarasi
A
A
Ravi
V
V
Ranga
Udaykumar
U
Desai
Anita
A
D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001483:Base Sequence; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D016679:Genome, Viral; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents