title: Molecular characterization of a full-length genome of a HIV-2 isolate from India.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Susmita R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gurjar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mangaiarkarasi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ravi
authors.forename: Udaykumar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ranga
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desai
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents