RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Wiktorowicz, Tatiana A1 Peters, Katrin A1 Armbruster, Nicole A1 Steinert, Andre F. A1 Rethwilm, AxelYR 2009 T1 Generation of an improved foamy virus vector by dissection of cis-acting sequences JF Journal of General Virology, VO 90 IS 2 SP 481 OP 487 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.006312-0 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB In contrast to other retroviruses, foamy viruses (FVs) generate their Pol protein precursor independently of the Gag protein from a spliced mRNA. The exact mechanism of Pol protein incorporation into the viral capsid is poorly understood. Previously, we showed that Pol encapsidation critically depends on the packaging of (pre-) genomic RNA and identified two distinct signals within the cis-acting sequences (CASI and CASII), Pol encapsidation sequences (PESI and PESII), which are required for Pol capsid incorporation. Here, we investigated whether the presence of PESI and PESII in an FV vector is sufficient for Pol encapsidation and whether the rather extended CASII element can be shortened without loss of functionality. Our results indicate that (i) the presence of PESI and II are not sufficient for Pol encapsidation, (ii) prototype FV vectors with a shortened CASII element retain Pol incorporation and full functionality, in particular upon transducing fibroblasts and primary human mesenchymal stem cells, (iii) the presence of the central poly purine tract significantly increased the transduction rates of FV vectors and (iv) Pol encapsidation and RNA packaging can be clearly separated. In essence, we designed a new FV vector that bears approximately 850 bp less of CAS than previously established vectors and is fully functional when analysed to transduce cell lines and primary human cells., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.006312-0