Feline CD4 protein and corresp. DNA - for study of feline immunodeficiency virus and for therapy

摘要

New proteins (I) comprise the feline CD4 protein (Ia), with the amino acid sequence shown in the fig., and active fragments of (Ia) contg. the binding site for a feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) capable of binding to (Ia). Also claimed are: (1) DNA sequences coding for (I); (2) recombinant vectors capable of transforming host cells and contg. a DNA sequence coding for (I) under the control of a promoter recognised by the polymerase of the host cell under conditions such that the DNA sequence is expressed in the host cell; (3) host cells transformed with the vectors of (2); (4) a method for selection of FIVs interacting with feline CD4, comprising contacting an FIV-infected cell culture supernatant with the host cells of (3) and selecting those viruses capable of penetrating into the host cells by interacting with their CD4; and (5) veterinary compsns. contg. (Ia) or a water-soluble fragment of (Ia). USE - The method may be used to study the CD4 affinity of different FIV isolates and to gain information about the acquisition of CD4 affinity by lentiviruses in general, including HIV.