Biological characterization of natural and artificial HIV-1 recombinants between subtypes B and F

• Grant number: 10/19341-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2011
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Paolo Marinho de Andrade Zanotto
• Grantee: Paolo Marinho de Andrade Zanotto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Despite efforts to control the epidemic spread of HIV, the high diversity of recombinant forms may have been associated to the increase of infected people around the globe. In Brazil, many recombinant viruses have been described, and up to this moment, 5 circulant recombinant forms (CRF) have already been described (CRF28_BF, CRF29_BF, CRF39_BF, CRF40_BF, CRF46_BF). This fact indicates the relevance of recombinant forms in the Brazilian epidemic. In spite of their increasing epidemiological importance, little is known about cell tropism, drug resistance, replicative and transmission capacity of the recombinant viruses in our epidemics. This project aims to study some relevant aspects of the biology of recombinant forms of HIV-1 circulating in São Paulo State that were sampled during Viral Genetic Diversity Network program (funded by FAPESP). Initially, we will aim to isolate through co-cultivation exemplars of CRF28_BF and CRF29_BF and some additional unique recombinant forms. In order to confirm the recombination profile and particular genetic signatures, the genome of each isolate will be throroughly sequenced. After that, co-receptor usage of each isolate will be determined using both genotyping and phenotyping methods. Likewise, the resistance profile of viral reverse transcriptases and proteases will be determined by genotyping and phenotyping methods. Moreover, resistant proteases will be reconstructed in silico for inhibitor interaction simulations during molecular dynamics. In addition, some selected proteases will be phenotyped by means of their insertion and expression in recombinant HIV during cell infection experiments. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FREIRE, CAIO C. M.; IAMARINO, ATILA; LY SOUMARE, PEINDA O.; FAYE, OUSMANE; SALL, AMADOU A.; ZANOTTO, PAOLO M. A.. Reassortment and distinct evolutionary dynamics of Rift Valley Fever virus genomic segments. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 5, JUN 23 2015. (10/19341-4, 12/04818-5, 13/15144-8, 14/06090-4)

WEIDMANN, MANFRED; FREY, STEFAN; FREIRE, CAIO C. M.; ESSBAUER, SANDRA; RUZEK, DANIEL; KLEMPA, BORIS; ZUBRIKOVA, DANA; VOEGERL, MARIA; PFEFFER, MARTIN; HUFERT, FRANK T.; et al. Molecular phylogeography of tick-borne encephalitis virus in central Europe. JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY, v. 94, p. 11-pg., 2013-09-01. (10/19341-4, 11/17120-3)

WEIDMANN, MANFRED; FREY, STEFAN; FREIRE, CAIO C. M.; ESSBAUER, SANDRA; RUZEK, DANIEL; KLEMPA, BORIS; ZUBRIKOVA, DANA; VOEGERL, MARIA; PFEFFER, MARTIN; HUFERT, FRANK T.; et al. Molecular phylogeography of tick-borne encephalitis virus in central Europe. JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY, v. 94, n. 9, p. 2129-2139, SEP 2013. (10/19341-4, 11/17120-3)

FAYE, OUMAR; FREIRE, CAIO C. M.; IAMARINO, ATILA; FAYE, OUSMANE; DE OLIVEIRA, JULIANA VELASCO C.; DIALLO, MAWLOUTH; ZANOTTO, PAOLO M. A.; SALL, AMADOU ALPHA. Molecular Evolution of Zika Virus during Its Emergence in the 20th Century. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 8, n. 1, JAN 2014. (10/19341-4, 12/04818-5)

IAMARINO, ATILA; DE MELO, FERNANDO LUCAS; BRACONI, CARLA TORRES; DE ANDRADE ZANOTTO, PAOLO MARINHO. BF Integrase Genes of HIV-1 Circulating in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a Recurrent Recombination Region. PLoS One, v. 7, n. 4, APR 2 2012. (09/16740-8, 07/01554-9, 10/19341-4)