Construction and Characterization of SHIV Carrying HIV-1 Capsid

SHIV (SIV/HIV chimeric virus) proviral DNA carrying Human immunodeficiency (virus) type1 (HIV-1 HXBc2) capsid was constructed on the backbone of Simian immunodeficiency (virus) (SIVmm239). The gene expression of chimeric virus could be detected in 293T cells transfected by SHIV proviral DNA. Chimeric SHIV virions were also obtained in the supernatant of transfected 293T cells. These virions have complete structures,including genomic RNA, reverse transcriptase, core proteins and envelope with glycoproteins. The chimeric Gag precursor could be appropriately cleaved and lead to the conformation of spindle core in the mature virus particles. They could Absorb and enter into MT4 cells and complete the course of reverse transcription. (witbout) repication.