The vif gene of maedi-visna virus is essential for infectivity in vivo and in vitro

Virology. 2004 Jan 5;318(1):350-9. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2003.09.044.

Abstract

We have investigated the role of vif in maedi-visna virus (MVV), a lentivirus of sheep, by studying in vitro replication of vif-deleted MVV in several cell types, and the effects of vif deletion on in vivo infection. By measuring RT activity, we found that in comparison to wild-type MVV, growth of vif-deleted MVV was similar in fetal ovine synovial (FOS) cells, highly attenuated in sheep choroid plexus (SCP) cells, and not detectable in macrophages, natural target cells of MVV. Productive infection by vif-deleted MVV could not be demonstrated in sheep. An increased mutation frequency was observed in DNA produced by endogenous reverse transcription of viral RNA in vif-deleted virions, indicating the existence of a factor comparable in action to human APOBEC3G. These results suggest that the vif gene of MVV is essential for infectivity and that the Vif protein protects the viral genome from enpackaged mutagenic activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Choroid Plexus / cytology
  • Choroid Plexus / virology
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Products, vif / genetics
  • Gene Products, vif / metabolism*
  • Genes, Essential*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pneumonia, Progressive Interstitial, of Sheep / physiopathology*
  • Pneumonia, Progressive Interstitial, of Sheep / virology
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / virology
  • Virus Replication
  • Visna-maedi virus / pathogenicity*

Substances

  • Gene Products, vif