Variant of LAV viruses

Abstract

A variant of a LAV virus, designated LAV MAL and capable of causing AIDS. The cDNA and antigens of the LAV MAL virus can be used for the diagnosis of AIDS and pre-AIDS.

1 . The virus LAV MAL  comprising RNA corresponding to the cDNA of FIGS.  7 A- 7 I.  
     
     
         2 . The cDNA of FIGS.  7 A- 7 I.  
     
     
         3 . A DNA recombinant comprising the cDNA of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . A probe containing a nucleic acid sequence hybridizable with RNA of said LAV MAL  virus of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . A method for identifying the presence in a host tissue of LAV virus which comprises hybridizing RNA obtained from said tissue with said probe of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said probe can hybridize with RNA from said LAV MAL  virus to identify said LAV MAL  virus.  
     
     
         7 . A peptide or fragment thereof whose amino acid sequence is encoded by an open reading frame of a cDNA sequence of the LAV MAL  virus of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . The peptide of  claim 7  encoded by a cDNA sequence from amino-acyl residue 37 to amino-acyl residue 130, or from amino-acyl residue 211 to amino-acyl residue 289, or from amino-acyl residue 488 to amino-acyl residue 530 of FIGS.  3 A- 3 F and  7 A- 7 I.  
     
     
         9 . The peptide of  claim 7  encoded by a cDNA sequence from amino-acyl residue 490 to amino-acyl residue 620 or from amino-acyl residue 680 to amino-acyl residue 700 of FIGS.  3 A- 3 F and  7 A- 7 I.  
     
     
         10 . The peptide of  claim 7  which comprises a protein or glycoprotein whose amino acid sequence is encoded by all or part of one of the following cDNA sequences of FIGS.  3 A- 3 F and  7 A- 7 I: 
 OMP or gp110 proteins, including precursors: 1 to 530;  
 OMP or gp110 without precursor: 34-530; and  
 TMP or gp41 protein: 531-877.  
 
     
     
         11 . The peptide of  claim 10  encoded by all or part of one of the following cDNA sequences of FIGS.  3 A- 3 F and  7 A- 7 I:  37 - 130 ,  211 - 289 ,  488 - 530 ,  490 - 620  or  680 - 700 .  
     
     
         12 . A method for the in vitro detection of the presence of an antibody directed against a LAV virus in a human body fluid, which comprises: contacting said body fluid with an antigen obtained from said virus LAV MAL  of  claim 1 , said antigen consisting of a peptide or a fragment thereof whose amino acid sequence is encoded by an open reading frame of a cDNA sequence of FIGS.  7 A- 7 I; and then detecting the immunological reaction between said antigen and said antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said antigen detects said LAV MAL  virus of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  which comprises the steps of: 
 a) depositing a predetermined amount of said antigen into a cup of a titration microplate;  
 b) introducing increasing dilutions of said body fluid into said cup;  
 c) incubating said microplate;  
 d) washing the microplate with a buffer;  
 e) adding into said cup a labelled antibody directed against blood immunoglobulins; and then  
 f) determining whether an antigen-antibody-complex has formed in said cup which is indicative of the presence of a LAV antibody in said body fluid.  
 
     
     
         15 . A diagnostic kit for the in vitro detection of antibodies against a LAV virus, which kit comprises: an antigen consisting of a peptide of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the antigen consists of a peptide of said LAV MAL  virus of  claim 1 , encoded by the open reading frame of a cDNA sequence of said LAV MAL  virus.  
     
     
         17 . An immunogenic composition comprising: an antigen of the LAV MAL  virus of  claim 1  or an immunogenic peptide or fragment thereof encoded by RNA of said virus; and a physiologically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         18 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 17  wherein said peptide is the gp110 envelope glycoprotein or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 17  wherein the peptide comprises a protein or glycoprotein hwose amino acid sequence is encoded by all or part of one of the following cDNA sequences of FIGS. 3 a - 3 F and  7 A- 7 I: 
 OMP or gp110 proteins, including precursors: 1 to 530;  
 OMP or gp110 without precursor: 34-530; and  
 TMP or gp41:531-877.  
 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19  wherein the protein or glycoprotein is encoded by all or part of one of the following cDNA sequences of FIGS.  3 A- 3 F and  7 A- 7 I:  37 - 130 ,  211 - 289 ,  488 - 530 ,  490 - 620  or  680 - 700 .  
     
     
         21 . An antibody formed against a peptide of  claim 7 .  
     
     
         22 . A cell transformed with a DNA recombinant of claim  3 .