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Mus Musculus papillomavirus MmuPV1 resists restriction by human APOBEC3B
Xingyu Liu1, Andrea Bilger2, Denis Lee2
1Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|November 26, 2025
Summary
Human APOBEC3B (A3B), a potent antiviral enzyme, does not restrict mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1) replication or cause disease in mice. This suggests papillomaviruses may have conserved mechanisms to evade A3B DNA deaminase restriction.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- APOBEC3B (A3B) is a DNA deaminase that restricts viral replication.
- Viruses evolve counter-defenses against host restriction factors.
- The effect of A3B on papillomavirus replication is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral activity of human A3B against Mus musculus papillomavirus (MmuPV1).
- To assess A3B's impact on MmuPV1 replication and pathogenesis in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Created transgenic mice expressing human A3B or a catalytically inactive mutant.
- Quantified MmuPV1 gene expression and replication in mouse keratinocytes.
- Infected mice with MmuPV1 and monitored disease progression.
Main Results:
- Active human A3B did not impede MmuPV1 replication or viral DNA accumulation in mouse cells.
- MmuPV1 infection caused similar pathologies in A3B-expressing and control mice.
- MmuPV1 appears resistant to human A3B restriction.
Conclusions:
- Mus musculus papillomavirus (MmuPV1) is not restricted by human APOBEC3B (A3B).
- Papillomaviruses may possess conserved mechanisms to evade DNA deaminase restriction.
- This study reveals a potential viral escape strategy against primate-specific antiviral factors.
