Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Measurement of BK-polyomavirus Non-Coding Control Region Driven Transcriptional Activity Via Flow Cytometry
Published on: July 13, 2019
The biological activity of different forms of Polyoma Virus DNA and viral DNA fragments
M Graessmann1, A Graessmann, E Hoffmann
1Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biochemie der Freien Universität Berlin, Berlin_W., F.R.G..
Abstract:
Mouse tissue culture cells were infected with different forms of Polyoma Virus (PV) DNA or virus DNA fragments by means of a microinjection technique and stained for PV-tumor (T) antigen and virus capsid (V) antigen 48 hr after injection.The efficiency of PV-DNA 1 (20S) to induce T- and V-antigen was within the same range as the efficiency of the full virus particle. DNA II (16S) showed a reduced capacity for both T- and V-antigen induction.Single stranded DNA molecules (16 or 18S) and double stranded DNA fragments (12S) led to T-antigen but not V-antigen synthesis. Simultaneous transfer of 16S and 18S DNA revealed T- and V-antigen formation.
Insights
Polyoma Virus (PV) DNA fragments were microinjected into mouse cells to assess antigen production. Full-length PV DNA and certain fragments efficiently induced both tumor (T) and virus capsid (V) antigens.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Polyoma Virus (PV) is a DNA tumor virus.
- Understanding the role of different PV DNA forms in antigen expression is crucial for viral pathogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of various Polyoma Virus DNA forms and fragments to induce tumor (T) antigen and virus capsid (V) antigen synthesis in mouse tissue culture cells.
- To compare the efficiency of different PV DNA molecules in initiating viral antigen expression.
Main Methods:
- Mouse tissue culture cells were microinjected with different forms of Polyoma Virus DNA or DNA fragments.
- Cells were stained 48 hours post-injection to detect PV-T antigen and PV-V antigen expression.
Main Results:
- Full-length PV DNA (20S) and the full virus particle demonstrated comparable efficiency in inducing both T- and V-antigens.
- PV DNA II (16S) exhibited a reduced capacity for inducing both T- and V-antigens.
- Single-stranded DNA molecules (16S, 18S) and double-stranded DNA fragments (12S) induced T-antigen synthesis but not V-antigen.
- Simultaneous transfer of 16S and 18S DNA resulted in the formation of both T- and V-antigens.
Conclusions:
- The size and structure of Polyoma Virus DNA influence its ability to induce viral antigens.
- Full-length or near full-length PV DNA is required for efficient induction of both T- and V-antigens, while smaller fragments can induce T-antigen alone.
