Zur Megede, JanEngelbrecht, SusanDe Oliveira, TulioScriba, Thomas JensJanse van Rensburg, EstrelitaBarnett, Susan W.2007-07-272007-07-272002-11Zur Megede, J, Engelbrecht, S, De Oliveira, T, Cassol, S, Scriba, TJ, Janse van Rensburg, E & Barnett, S 2002,'Novel evolutionary analyses of full-length HIV type 1 subtype C molecular clones from Cape Town South Africa', AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, vol. 18, no. 17, pp. 1327-1332. [http://www.liebertonline.com/aid?]0889-222910.1089/088922202320886370http://hdl.handle.net/2263/3184The publisher does not allow open access to the full text of this item. If you however need access to the full text, please contact the Collection Administrator, or access the item via the e-journal collection.Understanding the origin, distribution, and evolving dominance of HIV-1 subtype C strains is an important component in the design and evaluation of a globally effective AIDS vaccine. To better understand subtype C viruses, we constructed complete molecular clones of primary, CCR-5-using isolates from South Africa and analyzed the molecular phylogenies of these clones using best fitting evolutionary substitution models. Analyses were performed on three full-length sequences, and on the individual genes. All clones were nonrecombinant, and although two of three had open reading frames and intact splice sites, they were not infectious. At the genomic level, the models demonstrated the increasing variability of subtype C in South Africa. At the subgenomic level, they revealed marked differences in the evolutionary patterns of individual genes, a finding that suggests that the genes are under different selective pressures and constraints. These data underscore the dynamic nature of the subtype C epidemic and emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of local strains.133758 bytesapplication/pdfenMary Ann LiebertHIV-1 subtype cAIDS vaccineCCR-5HIV (Viruses) -- Cape Town, South AfricaHIV (Viruses) -- Research -- South AfricaText