Bc3h1 myogenic cells produce an infectious ecotropic murine leukemia virus

cDNAs representing an endogenous C-type ecotropic murine leukemia virus were isolated from a cDNA library constructed to represent mRNAs present in BC3H1 myogenic cells but not in C2C12 myogenic cells. RNA blot hybridization analysis using the cDNA inserts as probes revealed that BC3H1 cells produce MuLV-related transcirpts of at least three different size classes. A polymerase chain reaction enhanced assay for reverse transcriptase activity revealed the presence of reverse transcriptase in a viral pellet from medium conditioned by BC3H1 cells. A fungizone enhanced assay for syncitium formation provided further evidence of ecotropic retroviral particle production. Exposure of 3T3 cells to medium conditioned by BC3H1 cells, using conditions that facilitate infection, resulted in infection of the 3T3 cells, as confirmed by the syncitium formation assay. We conclude that BC3H1 cells produce an infectious ecotropic murine leukemia virus. Whether or not this feature of BC3H1 cells contributes to their inability to express some muscle-specific genes or to carry out myotube formation is unknown. Investigators will want to take into account that BC3H1 cells are virus producers when planning experiments that involve coculture of BC3H1 with other cell types, BC3H1 conditioned medium, retrovirally mediated transfection into BC3H1 cells, or study of the mCAT-1 amino acid transporter (the viral receptor) in BC3H1 cells. BC3H1 cells and the virus they produce may be of interest to those studying retroviral genomes and products and their effects.