Evolution of primate oncornaviruses: An endogenous virus from langurs (Presbytis spp.) with related virogene sequences in other Old World monkeys

Abstract

Gene sequences related to a retrovirus (oncornavirus type D) isolated from a lung cell culture from spectacled langur (Presbytis obscurus) are found in multiple copies (20-40 per haploid genome) in langur cellular DNA; partially homologous virogene sequences are present in the DNA of related Old World monkey species. Primates thus contain gene sequences for at least two distinct classes of genetically transmitted oncornaviruses, the type C class (isolated from baboons) and the type D class described here. The langur virus is partially related to Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, a type D retrovirus isolated from rhesus monkeys. Nucleic acid hybridization studies suggest that Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, now infectious among primates, was derived from an endogenous virus of langurs or from another member of the primate sub-family Colobinae.