Genetic structure of the pol-env region of the caprine arthritis-encephalitis lentivirus genome.

The nucleotide sequence of the pol-env intergenic region of two isolates of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) was determined. Two open reading frames (orfs) were identified, designated Q and S by homology with visna virus. CAEV orf S is a single exon encoding a deduced 87-amino acid gene product sharing 36 amino acid identities with the visna trans-acting transcriptional activator (Tat). Ten of these identities comprise a conserved CGCRLCNPGW sequence similar to a cysteine-rich domain essential for trans-activation by human immunodeficiency virus Tat. To determine if transcription promoted by the CAEV long terminal repeat (LTR) could be stimulated in CAEV-infected goat synovial membrane cells, a plasmid (pCAE-CAT) expressing bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) under control of the CAEV LTR was transfected into uninfected and infected cells. Sixfold enhancement of CAT activity was observed in infected cells using 100 ng of transfected plasmid. To determine if the pol-env region encodes a gene product which trans-activates the CAEV LTR, goat synovial membrane cells were cotransfected with pCAE-CAT and pRSV-1.9, a plasmid expressing the pol-env region under control of the Rous sarcoma virus LTR. Results indicated that the CAEV genome encodes a tat gene product attributable to orf S.