Sequence analysis for the complete proviral genome of reticuloendotheliosis virus Chinese strain HA9901

The genomic DNA extracted from chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) infected with a Chinese field isolate HA9901 of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) was used as the template to amplify the REV proviral genomic cDNA by PCR with 6 pairs of primers according to published sequences. Six overlapping fragments were amplified, cloned into the TA vector and sequenced, including a fragment which was amplified from the circular proviral cDNA and covering both 5′-and 3′-ends. The complete sequence of the whole genome was established and analyzed with a DNAstar software. Comparisons of the sequence with two other strains demonstrated that the genomes of REV were relatively conservative, the homogenecity for all genes or LTR fragments of the 3 strains was over 92%, no matter whether they were isolated from different species and regions in different years. But, the homology of Chinese strain HA9901 to a fowl pox virus-associated strain from Chickens was higher than that to strain SNV isolated from ducks.