INHIBITION OF REVERSE-TRANSCRIPTASE OF BOVINE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS BY ANTIBODY IN SERA FROM LEUKEMIC CATTLE AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ENZYME

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (5) , 1438-1442
Abstract
Sera from some leukemic cattle contain an antibody that inhibits the reverse transcriptase activity of the bovine leukemia virus. The antibody is not directed against the synthetic template or the major internal and envelope viral antigens. The antibody failed to inhibit the DNA polymerases of the murine leukemia virus, simian sarcoma-associated virus, avian myeloblastosis virus or Escherichia coli. Conversely, the bovine leukemia virus enzyme was not inhibited by antibody against the reverse transcriptases of other C-type viruses. Apparently the major internal bovine leukemia virus protein lacks the known interspecies- and intraspecies-specific antigenic determinants identified in homologous proteins of other oncornaviruses.