Nucleotide sequence of the envelope gene of radiation leukemia virus

Abstract The nucleotide sequence and the predicted amino acid sequence of the envelope gene ( env ) of RadLV/VL 3 (T + L + ) has been determined. RadLV/VL 3 (T + L + ) is a highly thymotropic (T + ) and leukemogenic (L + ) murine recombinant retrovirus continuously produced at high titer by BL/VL 3 cells, a line established in culture from a radiation leukemia virus (RadLV)-induced C57BL/Ka mouse thymic lymphoma. The envelope gene is strikingly similar (92% homologous) to that encoded by the ecotropic Akv-MuLV. Among the differences, 134 scattered, although unevenly distributed point mutations (6.4%), two 9-bp deletions as well as a 6-bp insertion were observed (which result in 49 amino acid changes in the env gene of RadLV/VL 3 (T + L + )).