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MAC-1, a new genetically transmitted type C virus of primates: "low frequency" activation from stumptail monkey cell
Abstract:
A new class of endogenous primate type C virus has been isolated from a continuous tissue culture line of Macaca arctoides cells by co-cultivation with a human cell line. The virus, designated MAC-1, can be transmitted to human and feline cells in tissue culture, and is unrelated, by immunological and nucleic acid hybridization criteria, to previously characterized retroviral isolates of primates. In particular, MAC-1 shows no detectable homology to the baboon type C viruses, even though viral genes related to the latter group are readily detected in M. arctoides cellular DNA. Viral gene sequences related to the MAC-1 genome are present in multiple copies (50-150 per haploid genome) in Old World primates, and are expressed in the cellular RNAs of uninfected and "virus-free" primate cells and tissues. Thus there are at least two distinct sets of genetically transmitted Old World primate type C viral genes, each of which is found in multiple copies in normal primate cellular DNA. With the description of this new retrovirus, there are now a minimum of five distinct genetically transmitted viruses of primates, three type C and type D, each represented in multiple copies in the normal cellular DNA.
Insights
Researchers isolated a new primate type C virus, MAC-1, from Macaca arctoides cells. This endogenous retrovirus is distinct from known primate viruses and is genetically transmitted in Old World primates.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Endogenous retroviruses are integrated into host genomes.
- Primate retroviruses include types C and D, with some genetically transmitted.
- Previous studies identified several primate retroviral isolates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel endogenous primate type C virus.
- To determine the relationship of the new virus to existing primate retroviruses.
- To investigate the genetic transmission and expression of related viral sequences in primates.
Main Methods:
- Co-cultivation of Macaca arctoides cells with human cells to isolate virus.
- Immunological assays and nucleic acid hybridization to compare viruses.
- Analysis of primate cellular DNA and RNA for viral gene sequences.
Main Results:
- A new type C retrovirus, MAC-1, was isolated from Macaca arctoides cells.
- MAC-1 is antigenically and genetically distinct from previously characterized primate retroviruses.
- Viral gene sequences related to MAC-1 are present in multiple copies in Old World primate DNA and expressed in cellular RNA.
- At least two distinct sets of genetically transmitted Old World primate type C viral genes exist.
Conclusions:
- MAC-1 represents a new class of endogenous primate type C virus.
- There are multiple distinct, genetically transmitted retroviral gene sets in primates.
- The findings expand the known diversity of primate endogenous retroviruses.
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