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 (P. obscurus) are found in multiple copies (20-40/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 2 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 subfamily Colobinae.