The distribution of HIV-1 recombination breakpoints

Fan, J., Negroni, M. and Robertson, D. L. (2007) The distribution of HIV-1 recombination breakpoints. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 7(6), pp. 717-723. (doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2007.07.012) (PMID:17851137)

Abstract

We find that recombination breakpoints are non-randomly distributed across the genomes of HIV-1 intersubtype recombinants. In particular we find two recombination prone regions, "hot spots", located approximately either side of the envelope gene. To investigate this, we test whether there is a correlation between the distribution of the recombinant breakpoints with (1) genetic similarity, (2) predicted locations of secondary RNA structure, (3) regions identified as recombinant hot spots from experimental studies and (4) the predicted locations of positively selected sites. No detectable relationship with RNA secondary structure was found. A weak relationship with genetic similarity exists but it does not account for the recombination hot spots. The comparison with the published experimental studies indicated that the identified recombination hot spots differ in their locations, indicating that selection is having an impact on HIV-1 recombinant structures in infected individuals. We observe an association between recombination prone regions and strong positive selection across the envelope gene in support of this hypothesis.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Professor David
• Authors: Fan, J., Negroni, M., and Robertson, D. L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Infection, Genetics and Evolution
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1567-1348
• ISSN (Online): 1567-7257
• Published Online: 28 July 2007