biostudies-literatureAfonso PVAgence Nationale de la Recherchee0007521https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6638983biostudies-literatureUnknown13(7)<h4>Background</h4>Primate T-lymphotropic viruses type 1 (PTLV-1) are complex retroviruses infecting both human (HTLV-1) and simian (STLV-1) hosts. They share common epidemiological, clinical and molecular features. In addition to the canonical gag, pol, env retroviral genes, PTLV-1 purportedly encodes regulatory (i.e. Tax, Rex, and HBZ) and accessory proteins (i.e. P12/8, P13, P30). The latter have been found essential for viral persistence in vivo.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>We have isolated a STLV-1 virus from a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata-Mra18C9), a monkey from India. The complete sequence was obtained and phylogenetic analyses were performed. The Mra18C9 strain is highly divergent from the known PTLV-1 strains. Intriguingly, the Mra18C9 lacks the 3 accessory open reading frames. In order to determine if the absence of accessory proteins is specific to this particular strain, a comprehensive analysis of the complete PTLV-1 genomes available in Genbank was performed and found that the lack of one or many accessory ORF is common among PTLV-1.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study raises many questions regarding the actual nature, role and importance of accessory proteins in the PTLV-1 biology.PLoS neglected tropical diseasesAbsence of accessory genes in a divergent simian T-lymphotropic virus type 1 isolated from a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata).PMC6638983ANR10-LBX-62 IBEIDFagrouch ZDeijs Mvan der Hoek LVerschoor EJBogers WGessain ANiphuis HAfonso PVfalseAbsence of accessory genes in a divergent simian T-lymphotropic virus type 1 isolated from a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata).<h4>Background</h4>Primate T-lymphotropic viruses type 1 (PTLV-1) are complex retroviruses infecting both human (HTLV-1) and simian (STLV-1) hosts. They share common epidemiological, clinical and molecular features. In addition to the canonical gag, pol, env retroviral genes, PTLV-1 purportedly encodes regulatory (i.e. Tax, Rex, and HBZ) and accessory proteins (i.e. P12/8, P13, P30). The latter have been found essential for viral persistence in vivo.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>We have isolated a STLV-1 virus from a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata-Mra18C9), a monkey from India. The complete sequence was obtained and phylogenetic analyses were performed. The Mra18C9 strain is highly divergent from the known PTLV-1 strains. Intriguingly, the Mra18C9 lacks the 3 accessory open reading frames. In order to determine if the absence of accessory proteins is specific to this particular strain, a comprehensive analysis of the complete PTLV-1 genomes available in Genbank was performed and found that the lack of one or many accessory ORF is common among PTLV-1.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study raises many questions regarding the actual nature, role and importance of accessory proteins in the PTLV-1 biology.2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jul2024-11-12T03:05:01.059Z2019-07-30T07:07:46ZS-EPMC66389833128376610.1371/journal.pntd.0007521