Subcloning of HIV-2 nef genes in E. coli and immunological reactivity of expressed fusion proteins.

The nef gene located in the 3' region of the HIV-2 genome encodes an N-terminally myristylated protein of 27-35 kD, likely to be involved in the regulation of viral transcription. The nef genes of HIV-2 isolates GH-1, ROD, ST, BEN, and D194.17 were inserted into E. coli pEX vectors and expression of Nef beta-galactosidase fusion proteins was detected in stained gels. All fusion proteins specifically reacted with a rabbit serum raised against bacterially expressed Nef from HIV-2D194.17. Sera from monkeys inoculated with HIV-2BEN or SIVMAC251 recognized the Nef proteins of only certain HIV-2 isolates. No cross-reactivity of these sera with HIV-1 Nef and of a rabbit anti-HIV-1-Nef serum with the described HIV-2 Nef fusion proteins was observed.