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Human Polyomavirus BK Genome Analysis in BKPyV Induced Rodent Cell Lines
Setsuko Shioda1, Fumio Kasai2, Midori Ozawa1
1National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
Microbiologyopen
|September 11, 2025
Summary
BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) genome analysis revealed unique noncoding control region (NCCR) mutations in hamster insulinoma cells. These mutations, including deletions in viral protein coding regions, offer insights into BKPyV oncogenesis and potential proliferation defects.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a human polyomavirus implicated in oncogenesis.
- Rodent cell lines derived from BKPyV-induced tumors provide models for studying viral genome variations.
- Understanding BKPyV genome alterations is crucial for elucidating viral oncogenic mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the BKPyV genome from three rodent cell lines established from experimentally induced tumors.
- To investigate the role of noncoding control region (NCCR) mutations in BKPyV oncogenesis.
- To characterize BKPyV variants and their potential impact on viral protein expression and replication.
Main Methods:
- Generation and characterization of three BKPyV-induced rodent tumor cell lines (Vn-324, In-1024, Vn1919).
- Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine large T-antigen expression.
- Analysis of the noncoding control region (NCCR) structure and viral protein coding regions (VP1, VP2, VP3) in BKPyV genomes.
Main Results:
- Identical NCCR structures were observed between BKPyV from Vn-324 and the wt-501 strain, and between BKPyV from Vn1919 and the pm-522 mutant.
- The BKPyV NCCR derived from In-1024 cells exhibited a unique structure with a large deletion in the VP1, VP2, and VP3 coding regions.
- The In-1024 BKPyV variant may represent a proliferation-defective mutant.
Conclusions:
- BKPyV NCCR mutations play a significant role in viral oncogenesis.
- Unique NCCR structures and deletions in viral protein coding regions can lead to altered BKPyV variants.
- Further research into these variants can elucidate mechanisms of viral-induced tumor development.
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