Alternatively spliced mRNA of the pX region of human T lymphotropic virus type I proviral genome

Abstract
The pX region of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐1) is believed to be expressed as a consequence of a 2 step splicing. It is conceivable, however, that a donor site of the 1st splicing and an acceptor site of the 2nd splicing results in the production of an alternatively spliced mRNA which is capable of coding p21X‐III. This possibility was examined by amplifying cDNA derived from HTLV‐I+ cells between the 5′ LTR and pX region. Bands of 2 different sizes were consistently observed. Sequencing of the longer band corresponded to a cDNA derived from a double‐spliced pX mRNA as previously reported. The shorter band was derived from a single‐spliced mRNA. HTLV‐I+ cell lines had both mRNAs to a varying degree. Expression of p40tax and p21X‐III seem to be well correlated with a double‐spliced and a single‐spliced mRNA, respectively.

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