Gibbon ape leukemia virus

Gibbon-ape Leukaemia Virus
Virus classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Riboviria
Kingdom: Pararnavirae
Phylum: Artverviricota
Class: Revtraviricetes
Order: Ortervirales
Family: Retroviridae
Genus: Gammaretrovirus
Species:
Gibbon-ape Leukaemia Virus
Synonyms
  • Gibbon sarcoma and leukemia virus

Gibbon-ape leukemia virus (GaLV) is an oncogenic, type C retrovirus that has been isolated from primate neoplasms, including the white-handed gibbon and woolly monkey.[1] The virus was identified as the etiological agent of hematopoietic neoplasms, leukemias, and immune deficiencies within gibbons in 1971, during the epidemic of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Epidemiological research into the origins of GaLV has developed two hypotheses for the virus' emergence. These include cross-species transmission of the retrovirus present within a species of East Asian rodent or bat, and the inoculation or blood transfusion of a MbRV-related virus into captured gibbons populations housed at medical research institutions.[2] The virus was subsequently identified in captive gibbon populations in Thailand, the US and Bermuda.[3]

GaLV is transmitted horizontally by contact with excretory products of infected gibbons.[4] However, it is also hypothesised to be vertically transmitted via parent-progeny transmission.[5] Phylogenetic analysis have revealed 7 strains of GaLV; GaLV-SF, GaLV-SEATO, GaLV-BR, GALV-X, GaLV-Mar, GaLV-H and SSV, which have emerged as a result of selection pressures from the host immune system.[3] Recently, full genome sequences of these strains have been made available which broadens the possibilities for GaLV's utility as a viral vector in gene transfer.[6]

  1. ^ S, Delassus; P, Sonigo; S, Wain-Hobson (November 1989). "Genetic Organization of Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus". Virology. 173 (1): 205–13. doi:10.1016/0042-6822(89)90236-5. PMID 2683360.
  2. ^ J, McKee; N, Clark; F, Shapter; G, Simmons (April 2017). "A New Look at the Origins of Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus". Virus Genes. 53 (2): 165–172. doi:10.1007/s11262-017-1436-0. PMID 28220345. S2CID 28786457.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Katherine; Tarlinton, Rachael E. (January 2017). "Is gibbon ape leukaemia virus still a threat?" (PDF). Mammal Review. 47 (1): 53–61. doi:10.1111/mam.12079.
  4. ^ Murphy, Hayley Weston; Switzer, William M. (2008-01-01), Fowler, Murray E.; Miller, R. Eric (eds.), "Chapter 31 - Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Simian Retroviruses: Health and Safety Implications for Persons Working with Nonhuman Primates", Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (Sixth Edition), W.B. Saunders, pp. 251–264, ISBN 978-1-4160-4047-7, retrieved 2020-02-02
  5. ^ Kawakami, Thomas (1978-10-04). "Natural Transmission of Gibbon Leukemia Virus". Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 61 (4): 1113–5. PMID 212567 – via Google Booka.
  6. ^ "Complete genome of all strains of the gibbon ape leukemia virus sequenced". ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2020-02-09.