Efficient subgroup C avian sarcoma and leukosis virus receptor activity requires the IgV domain of the Tvc receptor and proper display on the cell membrane

Avian Leukosis: Will We Be Able to Get Rid of It?

Avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) have been virtually eradicated from commercial poultry. However, some niches remain as pockets from which this group of viruses may reemerge and induce economic losses. Such is the case of fancy, hobby, backyard chickens and indigenous or native breeds, which are not as strictly inspected as commercial poultry and which have been found to harbor ALVs. In addition, the genome of both poultry and of several gamebird species contain endogenous retroviral sequences. Circumstances that support keeping up surveillance include the detection of several ALV natural recombinants between exogenous and endogenous ALV-related sequences which, combined with the well-known ability of retroviruses to mutate, facilitate the emergence of escape mutants. The subgroup most prevalent nowadays, ALV-J, has emerged as a multi-recombinant which uses a different receptor from the previously known subgroups, greatly increasing its cell tropism and pathogenicity and making it more transmissible. In this review we describe the ALVs, their different subgroups and which receptor they use to infect the cell, their routes of transmission and their presence in different bird collectivities, and the immune response against them. We analyze the different systems to control them, from vaccination to the progress made editing the bird genome to generate mutated ALV receptors or selecting certain haplotypes.

Advances on genetic and genomic studies of ALV resistance

Avian leukosis (AL) is a general term for a variety of neoplastic diseases in avian caused by avian leukosis virus (ALV). No vaccine or drug is currently available for the disease. Therefore, the disease can result in severe economic losses in poultry flocks. Increasing the resistance of poultry to ALV may be one effective strategy. In this review, we provide an overview of the roles of genes associated with ALV infection in the poultry genome, including endogenous retroviruses, virus receptors, interferon-stimulated genes, and other immune-related genes. Furthermore, some methods and techniques that can improve ALV resistance in poultry are discussed. The objectives are willing to provide some valuable references for disease resistance breeding in poultry.

Residues L55 and W69 of Tva Mediate Entry of Subgroup A Avian Leukosis Virus

The receptor of the subgroup A avian leukosis virus (ALV-A) in chicken is Tva, which is the homologous protein of human CD320 (huCD320), contains a low-density lipoprotein (LDL-A) module and is involved in the uptake of transcobalamin bound vitamin B₁₂/cobalamin (Cbl). To map the functional determinants of Tva responsible for ALV-A receptor activity, a series of chimeric receptors were created by swapping the LDL-A module fragments between huCD320 and Tva. These chimeric receptors were then used for virus entry and binding assays to map the minimal ALV-A functional domain of Tva. The results showed that Tva residues 49 to 71 constituted the minimal functional domain that directly interacted with the ALV-A gp85 protein to mediate ALV-A entry. Single-residue substitution analysis revealed that L55 and W69, which were spatially adjacent on the surface of the Tva structure, were key residues that mediate ALV-A entry. Structural alignment results indicated that L55 and W69 substitutions did not affect the Tva protein structure but abolished the interaction force between Tva and gp85. Furthermore, substituting the corresponding residues of huCD320 with L55 and W69 of Tva converted huCD320 into a functional receptor of ALV-A. Importantly, soluble huCD320 harboring Tva L55 and W69 blocked ALV-A entry. Finally, we constructed a Tva gene-edited cell line with L55R and W69L substitutions that could fully resist ALV-A entry, while Cbl uptake was not affected. Collectively, our findings suggested that amino acids L55 and W69 of Tva were key for mediating virus entry. IMPORTANCE Retroviruses bind to cellular receptors through their envelope proteins, which is a crucial step in infection. While most retroviruses require two receptors for entry, ALV-A requires only one. Various Tva alleles conferring resistance to ALV-A, including Tva^r1 (C40W substitution), Tva^r2 (frame-shifting four-nucleotide insertion), Tva^r3, Tva^r4, Tva^r5, and Tva^r6 (deletion in the first intron), are known. However, the detailed entry mechanism of ALV-A in chickens remains to be explored. We demonstrated that Tva residues L55 and W69 were key for ALV-A entry and were important for correct interaction with ALV-A gp85. Soluble Tva and huCD320 harboring the Tva residues L55 and W69 effectively blocked ALV-A infection. Additionally, we constructed gene-edited cell lines targeting these two amino acids, which completely restricted ALV-A entry without affecting Cbl uptake. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the infection mechanism of ALV-A and provided novel insights into the prevention and control of ALV-A.

The Bipartite Sequence Motif in the N and C Termini of gp85 of Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Plays a Crucial Role in Receptor Binding and Viral Entry

Subgroup J avian leukemia virus (ALV-J), belonging to the genus Alpharetrovirus, enters cells through its envelope surface unit (gp85) via specifically recognizing the cellular receptor chicken Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger type I (chNHE1), the 28 to 39 N-terminal residues of which were characterized as the minimal receptor functional domain in our previous studies. In this study, to further clarify the precise organization and properties of the interaction between ALV-J gp85 and chNHE1, we identified the chNHE1-binding domain of ALV-J gp85 using a series of gp85 mutants with segment substitutions and evaluating their effects on chNHE1 binding in protein-cell binding assays. Our results showed that hemagglutinin (HA) substitutions of amino acids (aa) 38 to 131 (N terminus of gp85) and aa 159 to 283 (C terminus of gp85) significantly inhibited the interaction between gp85 and chNHE1/chNHE1 loop 1. In addition, these HA-substituted chimeric gp85 proteins could not effectively block the entry of ALV-J into chNHE1-expressing cells. Furthermore, analysis of various N-linked glycosylation sites and cysteine mutants in gp85 revealed that glycosylation sites (N6 and N11) and cysteines (C3 and C9) were directly involved in receptor-gp85 binding and important for the entry of ALV-J into cells. Taken together, our findings indicated that the bipartite sequence motif, spanning aa 38 to 131 and aa 159 to 283, of ALV-J gp85 was essential for binding to chNHE1, with its two N-linked glycosylation sites and two cysteines being important for its receptor-binding function and subsequent viral infection steps.IMPORTANCE Infection of a cell by retroviruses requires the attachment and fusion of the host and viral membranes. The specific adsorption of envelope (Env) surface proteins to cell receptors is a key step in triggering infections and has been the target of antiviral drug screening. ALV-J is an economically important avian pathogen that belongs to the genus Alpharetrovirus and has a wider host range than other ALV subgroups. Our results showed that the amino acids 38 to 131 of the N terminus and 159 to 283 of the C terminus of ALV-J gp85 controlled the efficiency of gp85 binding to chNHE1 and were critical for viral infection. In addition, the glycosylation sites (N6 and N11) and cysteines (C3 and C9) of gp85 played a crucial role in the receptor binding and viral entry. These findings might help elucidate the mechanism of the entry of ALV-J into host cells and provide antiviral targets for the control of ALV-J.

Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus Envelope Glycoproteins Evolve to Broaden Receptor Usage Under Pressure from Entry Competitors †

The subgroup A through E avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses (ASLV(A) through ASLV(E)) are a group of highly related alpharetroviruses that have evolved their envelope glycoproteins to use different receptors to enable efficient virus entry due to host resistance and/or to expand host range. Previously, we demonstrated that ASLV(A) in the presence of a competitor to the subgroup A Tva receptor, SUA-rIgG immunoadhesin, evolved to use other receptor options. The selected mutant virus, RCASBP(A)Δ155–160, modestly expanded its use of the Tvb and Tvc receptors and possibly other cell surface proteins while maintaining the binding affinity to Tva. In this study, we further evolved the Δ155–160 virus with the genetic selection pressure of a soluble form of the Tva receptor that should force the loss of Tva binding affinity in the presence of the Δ155–160 mutation. Viable ASLVs were selected that acquired additional mutations in the Δ155–160 Env hypervariable regions that significantly broadened receptor usage to include Tvb and Tvc as well as retaining the use of Tva as a receptor determined by receptor interference assays. A similar deletion in the hr1 hypervariable region of the subgroup C ASLV glycoproteins evolved to broaden receptor usage when selected on Tvc-negative cells.

Mutations in Both the Surface and Transmembrane Envelope Glycoproteins of the RAV-2 Subgroup B Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus Are Required to Escape the Antiviral Effect of a Secreted Form of the TvbS3 Receptor †

The subgroup A through E avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses ASLV(A) through ASLV(E) are a group of highly related alpharetroviruses that have evolved to use very different host protein families as receptors. We have exploited genetic selection strategies to force the replication-competent ASLVs to naturally evolve and acquire mutations to escape the pressure on virus entry and yield a functional replicating virus. In this study, evolutionary pressure was exerted on ASLV(B) virus entry and replication using a secreted for of its Tvb receptor. As expected, mutations in the ASLV(B) surface glycoprotein hypervariable regions were selected that knocked out the ability for the mutant glycoprotein to bind the sTvb^S3-IgG inhibitor. However, the subgroup B Rous associated virus 2 (RAV-2) also required additional mutations in the C-terminal end of the SU glycoprotein and multiple regions of TM highlighting the importance of the entire viral envelope glycoprotein trimer structure to mediate the entry process efficiently. These mutations altered the normal two-step ASLV membrane fusion process to enable infection.

Reverse Engineering Provides Insights on the Evolution of Subgroups A to E Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus Receptor Specificity

The initial step of retrovirus entry—the interaction between the virus envelope glycoprotein trimer and a cellular receptor—is complex, involving multiple, noncontiguous determinants in both proteins that specify receptor choice, binding affinity and the ability to trigger conformational changes in the viral glycoproteins. Despite the complexity of this interaction, retroviruses have the ability to evolve the structure of their envelope glycoproteins to use a different cellular protein as receptors. The highly homologous subgroup A to E Avian Sarcoma and Leukosis Virus (ASLV) glycoproteins belong to the group of class 1 viral fusion proteins with a two-step triggering mechanism that allows experimental access to intermediate structures during the fusion process. We and others have taken advantage of replication-competent ASLVs and exploited genetic selection strategies to force the ASLVs to naturally evolve and acquire envelope glycoprotein mutations to escape the pressure on virus entry and still yield a functional replicating virus. This approach allows for the simultaneous selection of multiple mutations in multiple functional domains of the envelope glycoprotein that may be required to yield a functional virus. Here, we review the ASLV family and experimental system and the reverse engineering approaches used to understand the evolution of ASLV receptor usage.

Naturally Occurring Frameshift Mutations in the tvb Receptor Gene Are Responsible for Decreased Susceptibility of Chicken to Infection with Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroups B, D, and E

The group of highly related avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) in chickens are thought to have evolved from a common retroviral ancestor into six subgroups, A to E and J. These ALV subgroups use diverse cellular proteins encoded by four genetic loci in chickens as receptors to gain entry into host cells. Hosts exposed to ALVs might be under selective pressure to develop resistance to ALV infection. Indeed, resistance alleles have previously been identified in all four receptor loci in chickens. The tvb gene encodes a receptor, which determines the susceptibility of host cells to ALV subgroup B (ALV-B), ALV-D, and ALV-E. Here we describe the identification of two novel alleles of the tvb receptor gene, which possess independent insertions each within exon 4. The insertions resulted in frameshift mutations that reveal a premature stop codon that causes nonsense-mediated decay of the mutant mRNA and the production of truncated Tvb protein. As a result, we observed that the frameshift mutations in the tvb gene significantly lower the binding affinity of the truncated Tvb receptors for the ALV-B, ALV-D, and ALV-E envelope glycoproteins and significantly reduce susceptibility to infection by ALV-B, ALV-D and ALV-E in vitro and in vivo Taken together, these findings suggest that frameshift mutation can be a molecular mechanism of reducing susceptibility to ALV and enhance our understanding of virus-host coevolution.IMPORTANCE Avian leukosis virus (ALV) once caused devastating economic loss to the U.S. poultry industry prior the current eradication schemes in place, and it continues to cause severe calamity to the poultry industry in China and Southeast Asia, where deployment of a complete eradication scheme remains a challenge. The tvb gene encodes the cellular receptor necessary for subgroup B, D, and E ALV infection. Two tvb allelic variants that resulted from frameshift mutations have been identified in this study, which have been shown to have significantly reduced functionality in mediating subgroup B, D, and E ALV infection. Unlike the control of herpesvirus-induced diseases by vaccination, the control of avian leukosis in chickens has relied totally on virus eradication measures and host genetic resistance. This finding enriches the allelic pool of the tvb gene and expands the potential for genetic improvement of ALV resistance in varied chicken populations by selection.

Residues 28 to 39 of the Extracellular Loop 1 of Chicken Na+/H+ Exchanger Type I Mediate Cell Binding and Entry of Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus

Chicken Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger type I (chNHE1), a multispan transmembrane protein, is a cellular receptor of the subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J). To identify the functional determinants of chNHE1 responsible for the ALV-J receptor activity, a series of chimeric receptors was created by exchanging the extracellular loops (ECL) of human NHE1 (huNHE1) and chNHE1 and by ECL replacement with a hemagglutinin (HA) tag. These chimeric receptors then were used in binding and entry assays to map the minimal ALV-J gp85-binding domain of chNHE1. We show that ECL1 of chNHE1 (chECL1) is the critical functional ECL that interacts directly with ALV-J gp85; ECL3 is also involved in ALV-J gp85 binding. Amino acid residues 28 to 39 of the N-terminal membrane-proximal region of chECL1 constitute the minimal domain required for chNHE1 binding of ALV-J gp85. These residues are sufficient to mediate viral entry into ALV-J nonpermissive cells. Point mutation analysis revealed that A30, V33, W38, and E39 of chECL1 are the key residues mediating the binding between chNHE1 and ALV-J gp85. Further, the replacement of residues 28 to 39 of huNHE1 with the corresponding chNHE1 residues converted the nonfunctional ALV-J receptor huNHE1 to a functional one. Importantly, soluble chECL1 and huECL1 harboring chNHE1 residues 28 to 39 both could effectively block ALV-J infection. Collectively, our findings indicate that residues 28 to 39 of chNHE1 constitute a domain that is critical for receptor function and mediate ALV-J entry.IMPORTANCE chNHE1 is a cellular receptor of ALV-J, a retrovirus that causes infections in chickens and serious economic losses in the poultry industry. Until now, the domains determining the chNHE1 receptor function remained unknown. We demonstrate that chECL1 is critical for receptor function, with residues 28 to 39 constituting the minimal functional domain responsible for chNHE1 binding of ALV-J gp85 and efficiently mediating ALV-J cell entry. These residues are located in the membrane-proximal region of the N terminus of chECL1, suggesting that the binding site of ALV-J gp85 on chNHE1 is probably located on the apex of the molecule; the receptor-binding mode might be different from that of retroviruses. We also found that soluble chECL1, as well as huECL1 harboring chNHE1 residues 28 to 39, effectively blocked ALV-J infection. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the ALV-J infection mechanism and also provide new insights into the control strategies for ALV-J infection.

Precise gene editing of chicken Na+/H+ exchange type 1 (chNHE1) confers resistance to avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J)

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), first isolated in the late 1980s, has caused economic losses to the poultry industry in many countries. As all chicken lines studied to date are susceptible to ALV infection, there is enormous interest in developing resistant chicken lines. The ALV-J receptor, chicken Na⁺/H⁺ exchange 1 (chNHE1) and the critical amino acid sequences involved in viral attachment and entry have already been characterized. However, there are no reported attempts to induce resistance to the virus by targeted genome modification of the receptor sequences. In an attempt to induce resistance to ALV-J infection, we used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (CRISPR/Cas9)-based genome editing approaches to modify critical residues of the chNHE1 receptor in chicken cells. The susceptibility of the modified cell lines to ALV-J infection was examined using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing marker viruses. We showed that modifying the chNHE1 receptor by artificially generating a premature stop codon induced absolute resistance to viral infection, with mutations of the tryptophan residue at position 38 (Trp38) being very critical. Single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN)-mediated targeted recombination of the Trp38 region revealed that deletions involving the Trp38 residue were most effective in conferring resistance to ALV-J. Moreover, protein structure analysis of the chNHE1 receptor sequence suggested that its intrinsically disordered region undergoes local conformational changes through genetic alteration. Collectively, these results demonstrate that targeted mutations on chNHE1 alter the susceptibility to ALV-J and the technique is expected to contribute to develop disease-resistant chicken lines.

Identification of New World Quails Susceptible to Infection with Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J

The J subgroup of avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) infects domestic chickens, jungle fowl, and turkeys. This virus enters the host cell through a receptor encoded by the tvj locus and identified as Na+/H+ exchanger 1. The resistance to avian leukosis virus subgroup J in a great majority of galliform species has been explained by deletions or substitutions of the critical tryptophan 38 in the first extracellular loop of Na+/H+ exchanger 1. Because there are concerns of transspecies virus transmission, we studied natural polymorphisms and susceptibility/resistance in wild galliforms and found the presence of tryptophan 38 in four species of New World quails. The embryo fibroblasts of New World quails are susceptible to infection with avian leukosis virus subgroup J, and the cloned Na+/H+ exchanger 1 confers susceptibility on the otherwise resistant host. New World quails are also susceptible to new avian leukosis virus subgroup J variants but resistant to subgroups A and B and weakly susceptible to subgroups C and D of avian sarcoma/leukosis virus due to obvious defects of the respective receptors. Our results suggest that the avian leukosis virus subgroup J could be transmitted to New World quails and establish a natural reservoir of circulating virus with a potential for further evolution.

IMPORTANCE

Since its spread in broiler chickens in China and Southeast Asia in 2000, ALV-J remains a major enzootic challenge for the poultry industry. Although the virus diversifies rapidly in the poultry, its spillover and circulation in wild bird species has been prevented by the resistance of most species to ALV-J. It is, nevertheless, important to understand the evolution of the virus and its potential host range in wild birds. Because resistance to avian retroviruses is due particularly to receptor incompatibility, we studied Na+/H+ exchanger 1, the receptor for ALV-J. In New World quails, we found a receptor compatible with virus entry, and we confirmed the susceptibilities of four New World quail species in vitro We propose that a prospective molecular epidemiology study be conducted to identify species with the potential to become reservoirs for ALV-J.

Model of the TVA receptor determinants required for efficient infection by subgroup A avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses

The study of the interactions of subgroup A avian sarcoma and leucosis viruses [ASLV(A)] with the TVA receptor required to infect cells offers a powerful experimental model of retroviral entry. Several regions and specific residues in the TVA receptor have previously been identified to be critical determinants of the binding affinity with ASLV(A) envelope glycoproteins and to mediate efficient infection. Two homologs of the TVA receptor have been cloned: the original quail TVA receptor, which has been the basis for most of the initial characterization of the ASLV(A) TVA, and the chicken TVA receptor, which is 65% identical to the quail receptor overall but identical in the region thought to be critical for infection. Our previous work characterized three mutant ASLV(A) isolates that could efficiently bind and infect cells using the chicken TVA receptor homolog but not using the quail TVA receptor homolog, with the infectivity of one mutant virus being >500-fold less with the quail TVA receptor. The mutant viruses contained mutations in the hr1 region of the surface glycoprotein. Using chimeras of the quail and chicken TVA receptors, we have identified new residues of TVA critical for the binding affinity and entry of ASLV(A) using the mutant glycoproteins and viruses to probe the function of those residues. The quail TVA receptor required changes at residues 10, 14, and 31 of the corresponding chicken TVA residues to bind wild-type and mutant ASLV(A) glycoproteins with a high affinity and recover the ability to mediate efficient infection of cells. A model of the TVA determinants critical for interacting with ASLV(A) glycoproteins is proposed.

IMPORTANCE

A detailed understanding of how retroviruses enter cells, evolve to use new receptors, and maintain efficient entry is crucial for identifying new targets for combating retrovirus infection and pathogenesis, as well as for developing new approaches for targeted gene delivery. Since all retroviruses share an envelope glycoprotein organization, they likely share a mechanism of receptor triggering to begin the entry process. Multiple, noncontiguous interaction determinants located in the receptor and the surface (SU) glycoprotein hypervariable domains are required for binding affinity and to restrict or broaden receptor usage. In this study, further mechanistic details of the entry process were elucidated by characterizing the ASLV(A) glycoprotein interactions with the TVA receptor required for entry. The ASLV(A) envelope glycoproteins are organized into functional domains that allow changes in receptor choice to occur by mutation and/or recombination while maintaining a critical level of receptor binding affinity and an ability to trigger glycoprotein conformational changes.

Aflatoxicosis chemoprevention by probiotic Lactobacillius and lack of effect on the major histocompatibility complex

Turkeys are extremely sensitive to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) which causes decreased growth, immunosuppression and liver necrosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether probiotic Lactobacillus, shown to be protective in animal and clinical studies, would likewise confer protection in turkeys, which were treated for 11 days with either AFB1 (AFB; 1 ppm in diet), probiotic (PB; 1 × 10(11) CFU/ml; oral, daily), probiotic + AFB1 (PBAFB), or PBS control (CNTL). The AFB1 induced drop in body and liver weights were restored to normal in CNTL and PBAFB groups. Hepatotoxicity markers were not significantly reduced by probiotic treatment. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes BG1 and BG4, which are differentially expressed in liver and spleens, were not significantly affected by treatments. These data indicate modest protection, but the relatively high dietary AFB1 treatment, and the extreme sensitivity of this species may reveal limits of probiotic-based protection strategies.

Nonconserved tryptophan 38 of the cell surface receptor for subgroup J avian leukosis virus discriminates sensitive from resistant avian species

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is unique among the avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses in using the multimembrane-spanning cell surface protein Na(+)/H(+) exchanger type 1 (NHE1) as a receptor. The precise localization of amino acids critical for NHE1 receptor activity is key in understanding the virus-receptor interaction and potential interference with virus entry. Because no resistant chicken lines have been described until now, we compared the NHE1 amino acid sequences from permissive and resistant galliform species. In all resistant species, the deletion or substitution of W38 within the first extracellular loop was observed either alone or in the presence of other incidental amino acid changes. Using the ectopic expression of wild-type or mutated chicken NHE1 in resistant cells and infection with a reporter recombinant retrovirus of subgroup J specificity, we studied the effect of individual mutations on the NHE1 receptor capacity. We suggest that the absence of W38 abrogates binding of the subgroup J envelope glycoprotein to ALV-J-resistant cells. Altogether, we describe the functional importance of W38 for virus entry and conclude that natural polymorphisms in NHE1 can be a source of host resistance to ALV-J.

Cellular entry of retroviruses

The retrovirus family contains several important human and animal pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Studies with retroviruses were instrumental to our present understanding of the cellular entry of enveloped viruses in general. For instance, studies with alpharetroviruses defined receptor engagement, as opposed to low pH, as a trigger for the envelope protein-driven membrane fusion. The insights into the retroviral entry process allowed the generation of a new class of antivirals, entry inhibitors, and these therapeutics are at present used for treatment of HIV/AIDS. In this chapter, we will summarize key concepts established for entry of avian sarcoma and leukosis virus (ASLV), a widely used model system for retroviral entry. We will then review how foamy virus and HIV, primate- and human retroviruses, enter target cells, and how the interaction of the viral and cellular factors involved in the cellular entry of these viruses impacts viral tropism, pathogenesis and approaches to therapy and vaccine development.

Detection of avian leukosis virus subgroups in albumen of commercial and native fowl eggs using RT-PCR in Iran

Avian leukosis viruses (ALVs) belong to Alpharetrovirus genus of the family Retroviridae that are widespread in nature. Different subgroups of ALV commonly infect egg-laying hens. They are responsible for economic losses due to both mortality and depressed performance in chickens. To investigate the presence of these viruses in chickens in Iran, 560 egg albumens were selected from different farms of Fars province, Iran. These eggs were obtained from flocks of two research centers of native fowl production (60 eggs), a broiler grandparent farm (100 eggs), three broiler breeder farms (300 eggs), and a commercial layer flock (100 eggs). Firstly, for primary screening a degenerative primer set (PU1 and PU2) were used in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positive cases were detected in 47 of 300 (15.7%) samples from three broiler breeders, 40 of 100 (40%) samples from commercial layer, 53 of 60 (88.3%) samples from flocks of two research centers of native fowl production, and none from the samples of broiler grandparent. Then RT-PCR was undertaken with primers PA1 and PA2 on the positive samples. RT-PCR analysis detected ALVs in two of 47 (4.3%) samples from three broiler breeders, 13 of 40 (32.5%) samples from commercial layer, and 19 of 53 (35.8%) samples from flocks of two research centers of native fowl production. The sequencing results showed that subgroup E of ALV was the most detected virus among chicken eggs and subgroup B was more prevalent in the eggs of native fowls. This is the first report of the ALV subgroup B and E in egg albumen in Iran.

[Receptors for animal retroviruses]

Diseases caused by animal retroviruses have been recognized since 19th century in veterinary field. Most livestock and companion animals have own retroviruses. To disclose the receptors for these retroviruses will be useful for understanding retroviral pathogenesis, developments of anti-retroviral drugs and vectors for human and animal gene therapies. Of retroviruses in veterinary field, receptors for the following viruses have been identified; equine infectious anemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus subgroups A, B, C, and T, Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, enzootic nasal tumor virus, avian leukosis virus subgroups A, B, C, D, E, and J, reticuloendotheliosis virus, RD-114 virus (a feline endogenous retrovirus), and porcine endogenous retrovirus subgroup A. Primate lentiviruses require two molecules (CD4 and chemokine receptors such as CXCR4) as receptors. Likewise, feline immunodeficiency virus also requires two molecules, i.e., CD134 (an activation marker of CD4 T cells) and CXCR4 in infection. Gammaretroviruses utilize multi-spanning transmembrane proteins, most of which are transporters of amino acids, vitamins and inorganic ions. Betaretroviruses and alpharetroviruses utilize transmembrane and/or GPI-anchored proteins as receptors. In this review, I overviewed receptors for animal retroviruses in veterinary field.