Complete genome sequences of two feline Leukemia virus subgroup B isolates with novel recombination sites

Stewart, H., Jarrett, O., Hosie, M.J. and Willett, B.J. (2013) Complete genome sequences of two feline Leukemia virus subgroup B isolates with novel recombination sites. Genome Announcements, 1(1), e00036-12. (doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00036-12)

Abstract

It is generally accepted that all primary isolates of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) contain a subgroup A virus (FeLV-A) that is essential for transmission. In contrast, FeLV-B is thought to arise de novo in the infected animal through RNA recombination events with endogenous FeLV transcripts, presumably through copackaging of RNA from endogenous FeLV and exogenous FeLV-A. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two novel strains of FeLV-B (FeLV-2518 and FeLV-4314) that were isolated in the absence of FeLV-A. The env genes of these isolates have been characterized previously, and the 3′ recombination sites have been identified. We describe herein the 5′ recombination breakpoints of each virus. These breakpoints were found to be within the signal peptide of the env gene and the reverse transcriptase-coding region, respectively. This is the first report of a recombination site within the pol gene of an FeLV-B genome and the first genetic characterization of multiple independently arising FeLV-B isolates that have been identified without a functional FeLV-A ancestral virus.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hosie, Professor Margaret and Willett, Professor Brian
• Authors: Stewart, H., Jarrett, O., Hosie, M.J., and Willett, B.J.
• 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: Genome Announcements
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• ISSN: 2169-8287
• Published Online: 15 January 2013
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2013 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Genome Announcements 1(1):e00036-12
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License