FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus has undergone substantial genetic recombination. FIV is a member of the lentivirus family, which includes HIV. By sequencing two genomes of the FIV virus it will help in the conservation of endangered cats, as well as provide a template for other strands of animal immunodeficiency virus. FIV causes similar disease progression to that of HIV, with some strains of FIV being species specific. Two lion FIV strains have been sequenced in full; FIVPIe subtype B and FIVPIe subtype E from two geographically isolated populations.By using comparative genomic processes the two viral subtypes were found to have a common evolutionary viral ancestor. The lion viruses were found to vary in the env gene region encoding for glycoprotein used for binding and entry of the virus. The two subtypes were also more closely related to other strains of the virus. Subtype E was more closely related to the domestic cat strain than the subtype B.
Explanation for the relation between strains was suggested as possible recombination between wild strains. Either from an unknown strain of lion FIV or from another species of cat where interaction could occur.
By Daniel Simounds
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