Full-genome analysis of a highly divergent simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 strain in Macaca arctoides

Abstract
Full-genome sequencing and analysis of the highly divergent simian T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (STLV-1) strain MarB43 inMacaca arctoidesindicated that its open reading frame structure is compatible with proper functioning of its Gag, Pol, Env, Tax and Rex proteins. Detailed analysis of the coding potential, however, revealed that MarB43 is probably forced to use the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 2/STLV-2env-tax-rexsplice-acceptor homologue and that the proximal pX auxiliary proteins p12I, p13II, p30IIand p27Iseem to have lost their function. Full-genome (gag-pol-env-tax), long terminal repeat andenvphylogenetic analyses conclusively identified STLV-1 inM. arctoidesas the currently most divergent STLV-1 strain. The long branching pattern of the monophyletic STLV-1Macacasubspecies clades suggests that macaques might be the ancestral reservoir for primate T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 in Asia. Full-genome molecular-clock analysis supports an archaic introduction of STLV-1 on the Asian continent, at least 269 000–156 000 years ago.

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