Lentivirus
| lentivirus | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group VI (ssRNA-RT) |
| Order: | Unassigned |
| Family: | Retroviridae |
| Subfamily: | Orthoretrovirinae |
| Genus: | Lentivirus |
| Type species | |
|
Human immunodeficiency virus 1 |
|
| Species | |
|
Bovine lentivirus group Equine lentivirus group Feline lentivirus group Colugo lentivirus group Weasel lentivirus group
Rabbit lentivirus group Ovine/caprine lentivirus group Primate lentivirus group |
|
Bovine lentivirus group
Equine lentivirus group
Feline lentivirus group
Colugo lentivirus group
Weasel lentivirus group
Rabbit lentivirus group
Ovine/caprine lentivirus group
Primate lentivirus group
Lentivirus (lente-, Latin for "slow") is a genus of retroviruses that cause chronic and deadly diseases characterized by long incubation periods, in man and other mammalian species. The best known lentivirus is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV, which causes AIDS. Lentiviruses are also hosted in apes, cows, goats, horses, cats, and sheep. Recently, lentiviruses have been found in monkeys, lemurs, Malayan flying lemur (not a true lemur nor a primate), rabbits, and ferrets. Lentiviruses and their hosts have worldwide distribution. Lentiviruses can integrate a significant amount of viral RNA into the DNA of the host cell and can efficiently infect nondividing cells, so they are one of the most efficient methods of gene delivery. Lentiviruses can become endogenous (ERV), integrating their genome into the host germline genome, so that the virus is henceforth inherited by the host's descendants.
Five serogroups of lentiviruses are recognized, reflecting the vertebrate hosts with which they are associated (primates, sheep and goats, horses, domestic cats, and cattle). The primate lentiviruses are distinguished by the use of CD4 protein as a receptor and the absence of dUTPase. Some groups have cross-reactive gag antigens (e.g., the ovine, caprine, and feline lentiviruses). Antibodies to gag antigens in lions and other large felids indicate the existence of other as yet unidentified viruses related to feline lentivirus and the ovine/caprine lentiviruses.
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