Phylogenetic analysis of bovine leukemia viruses isolated in South America reveals diversification in seven distinct genotypes.
Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) is an oncogenic member of the genus Deltaretrovirus of the family Retroviridae. Recent studies revealed that BLV strains can be classified into six different genotypes and raised the possibility that another genotype may exist. In order to gain insight into the degree of genetic variability of BLV strains circulating in the South American region, a phylogenetic analysis was performed using gp51 env gene sequences. The results of these studies revealed the presence of seven BLV genotypes in this geographic region and the suitability of partial gp51 env gene sequences for phylogenetic inference. A significant number of amino acid substitutions found in BLV strains isolated in South America map to the second neutralization domain of gp51. A 3D molecular model of BLV gp51 revealed that these substitutions are located on the surface of the molecule. This may provide a selective advantage to overcome immune host neutralization.
Moratorio
Gonzalo
G
Unidad de Biofísica de Proteínas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Obal
Gonzalo
G
Dubra
Ana
A
Correa
Agustín
A
Bianchi
Sergio
S
Buschiazzo
Alejandro
A
Cristina
Juan
J
Pritsch
Otto
O
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016583:Enzootic Bovine Leukosis / Q000821:virology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D001909:Leukemia Virus, Bovine / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017385:Sequence Homology; D013020:South America
D000939:Epitopes; D015686:Gene Products, env