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

Abstract: Reagents and methods for making and using HIV recombinant vaccines are disclosed.

Abstract: The molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human retrovirus, designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus, or LAV, is disclosed. LAV was originally isolated from a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A cloned LAV complementary DNA (cDNA) was used to screen a library of recombinant phages constructed from the genomic DNA of LAV-infected T lymphocytes. The nucleotide sequence of an insert obtained from the recombinant phage clone &lgr;J19 was ascertained through M13 shotgun cloning and the dideoxy chain termination sequencing method. The env coding region was identified and peptides obtained therefrom. These peptides correspond to amino acids 239-294, 273-317, 300-327, 334-381, 397-424, and 466-500 of the LAV env. These peptides provide suitable diagnostic reagents for the detection LAV-specific antibodies and for the generation of LAV-specific immunological reagents.

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

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

Abstract: The molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human retrovirus, designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus, or LAV, is disclosed. LAV was originally isolated from a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A cloned LAV complementary DNA (cDNA) was used to screen a library of recombinant phages constructed from the genomic DNA of LAV-infected T lymphocytes. The nucleotide sequence of an insert obtained from the recombinant phage clone &lgr;J19 was ascertained through M13 shotgun cloning and the dideoxy chain termination sequencing method. The env coding region was identified and various hydrophilic peptides obtained therefrom. These peptides correspond to amino acids 551-577, 594-603, 621-630, 657-679, and 719-758 of the LAV envelope glycoprotein. These peptides should provide suitable diagnostic reagents for the detection LAV-specific antibodies and for the generation of LAV-specific immunological reagents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) capable of inducing lymphadenopathies (LAS) and acquired immune deficiency syndromes (AIDS) in patients which has been designated the lymphadenopathy associated virus strain MAL (LAVMAL). Although the overall genomic organization of LAVMAL is similar to other known HIV-1 isolates such as LAVBRU and HTLV-III, nevertheless, this virus also displays considerable genotypic and phenotypic diversity as compared to these isolates. A proviral molecular clone of the virus was obtained and characterized. The complete nucleotide sequence of this clone was ascertained and putative regulatory regions (e.g., U3, R, U5,), regulatory elements (e.g., the TATA box, AATAAA polyadenylation signal, primer binding site), and open reading frames (e.g., Gag, Pol, Env, Vif, Vpr, Tat, Rev, Nef) identified. Of particular interest are unique polypeptides derived from the viral envelope.

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

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

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

Abstract: Methods and kits for the in vitro detection of antibodies of an HIV variant are disclosed. In particular, the detection of HIV-1 variants, such as LAVBRU, LAVELI, LAVMAL, are taught by using an immunologically distinct antigen of these HIV variants to detect the antibodies of these variants. Moreover, the immunological characteristics of the HIV-1 variants of the invention are disclosed.

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

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus, which has been designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus which has been desogmated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

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

Abstract: The present invention features a method for introducing hypermutations into a target DNA or RNA sequence of interest, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of:(a) transcribing a RNA into DNA in a reaction mixture comprising a reverse transcriptase, varying biased concentrations of deoxynucleoside triphosphates to produce hypermutations and an oligonucleotide primer that is partially complementary to the 3' end of said RNA; and(b) recovering said DNA sequences.

Abstract: This invention is directed to nucleic acids derived from the pol region of the genome of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The nucleic acids are useful as probes for the detection of HIV-1. More particularly, this invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding a pol region of HIV-1 extending from about nucleotide 1856 to about 1906 and extending from about nucleotide 2048 to about nucleotide 2797.

Abstract: An HIV isolate, LAV.sub.MAL, has been purified, sequenced, and characterized at the genetic level. The entire nucleic acid sequence of the viral genome, the encoded amino acid sequences, and the open reading frames found in the genome are disclosed. Specific peptides relating to the envelope glycoprotein of the viral genome are discussed. These peptides can be used in diagnostic methods and kits for detecting the presence of an HIV virus.

Abstract: This invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a viral vector. The genome of the viral vector comprises a functional origin of replication of a poxvirus, a DNA fragment encoding a non-cleavable gp160, a DNA fragment encoding a signal peptide, and a promoter for expressing DNA fragments in mammalian cells.

Abstract: A novel human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolate, designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus strain MAL, or LAV.sub.MAL, was molecularly cloned and characterized. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated that the viral genome of LAV.sub.MAL is 9229 nucleotides long. This retrovirus contains the canonical gag, pol, and env genes, as well as ancillary genes encoding Vif (or Q), Vpr (or R), Tat (or S), and Nef (or F). This virus differs significantly, at both the nucleotide and amino acid sequence levels, from prototypical HIV isolates (e.g., HTLV-III, LAV.sub.BRU, and ARV). DNA fragments corresponding to the various gene products and regulatory regions are disclosed. These fragments are useful, inter alia, as probes in diagnostic assays and for the generation of recombinant proteins.