Peptides of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), antibodies against peptides of HIV-2, and methods and kits for detecting HIV-2

摘要: This invention is directed toward the isolation of a novel retrovirus, human immune deficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2, previously named LAV-2), from patients with acquired syndrome (AIDS) originating West Africa. related to HIV-1, causative agent AIDS, both by its morphology and tropism in vitro cytopathic effect on CD4 (T4) positive cell lines lymphocytes. However, preliminary hybridization experiments indicated that there are substantiated differences between sequences two genomes. Furthermore, proteins HIV-1 HIV-2 have different sizes their serological cross-reactivity restricted major core protein, as envelope glycoproteins not immunoprecipitated sera. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained complete nucleotide sequence gag env genes was ascertained. An antigenic polypeptide having following amino acid identified: NH -VTAIEKYLEDQARLNSWGCAFRQVC-COOH. The peptide useful for detection HIV-2-specific immunological reagents.