Genomic stability of gibbon oncornavirus.

The 70S RNAs from several gibbon type C viruses were examined for sequence homology by molecular hybridization using complementary DNA probes. The sequence homology was found to vary with each virus isolate. The genome from one isolate was examined for genomic stability after the virus was experimentally passaged through three unrelated gibbons. The genomic homology remained unchanged after three passages, having greater than 93% homology based on complementary DNA-70S RNA hybridization and melting temperature analysis of the duplex. The genome from another isolate was similarly found to be unchanged after the virus was naturally transmitted in gibbons. The genomic variation found in the various isolates is not the consequence of recent horizontal transmission from a common virus.