Basic Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2005; 11(17): 2609-2615
Published online May 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i17.2609
Construction and characterization of chimeric BHIV (BIV/HIV-1) viruses carrying the bovine immunodeficiency virus gag gene
Yi-Xin Zhu, Chang Liu, Xin-Lei Liu, Wen-Tao Qiao, Qi-Min Chen, Yi Zeng, Yun-Qi Geng
Yi-Xin Zhu, Chang Liu, Wen-Tao Qiao, Qi-Min Chen, Yun-Qi Geng, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
Xin-Lei Liu, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100022, China
Yi Zeng, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Basic Research Program (973 Program) of China, No. G1999054107
Correspondence to: Professor Yun-Qi Geng, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China. gengyq@nankai.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-22-23501783 Fax: +86-22-23501783
Received: October 6, 2004
Revised: October 8, 2004
Accepted: November 19, 2004
Published online: May 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To explore the possibility of the replacement of the gag gene between human immunodeficiency virus and bovine immunodeficiency virus, to achieve chimeric virions, and thereby gain a new kind of AIDS vaccine based on BHIV chimeric viruses.

METHODS: A series of chimeric BHIV proviral DNAs differing in the replacement regions in gag gene were constructed, and then were transfected into 293T cells. The expression of chimeric viral genes was detected at the RNA and protein level. The supernatant of 293T cell was ultra centrifuged to detect the probable chimeric virion. Once the chimeric virion was detected, its biological activities were also assayed by infecting HIV-sensitive MT4 cells.

RESULTS: Four chimeric BHIV proviral DNAs were constructed. Genes in chimeric viruses expressed correctly in transfected 293T cells. All four constructs assembled chimeric virions with different degrees of efficiency. These virions had complete structures common to retroviruses and packaged genomic RNAs, but the cleavages of the precursor Gag proteins were abnormal to some extent. Three of these virions tested could attach and enter into MT4 cells, and one of them could complete the course of reverse transcription. Yet none of them could replicate in MT4 cells.

CONCLUSION: The replacement of partial gag gene of HIV with BIV gag gene is feasible. Genes in chimeric BHIVs are accurately expressed, and virions are assembled. These chimeric BHIVs (proviral DNA together with virus particles) have the potential to become a new kind of HIV/AIDS vaccine.

Keywords: Gag gene; Human immunodeficiency virus; Bovine immunodeficiency virus