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Type C viral expression in primate tissues
Abstract:
Nucleic acid sequences homologous to a [(3)H]DNA transcript prepared from an endogenous baboon type C virus are readily detected in both the cellular DNA and RNA of several different Old World monkeys. Competitive radioimmunoassays for the major viral protein (p30) of baboon type C viruses detect viral antigen in a normal stumptail spleen and a rhesus ovarian carcinoma. The p30 antigen from these tissues is closely related by several immunologic criteria to the p30 protein of baboon type C viruses. The results indicate that normal primate tissues transcribe endogenous viral-specific RNA and translate at least one viral structural protein.
Insights
Researchers found evidence of baboon type C virus genetic material and proteins in normal Old World monkey tissues. This suggests endogenous viral RNA transcription and protein translation occur in primates.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Primate Genetics
Background:
- Endogenous retroviruses are integrated into host genomes and can be transcribed.
- The presence and expression of baboon type C virus sequences in primates are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of nucleic acid sequences homologous to baboon type C virus in Old World monkeys.
- To detect viral antigen (p30) in primate tissues using competitive radioimmunoassays.
- To determine if primate tissues express viral structural proteins.
Main Methods:
- Hybridization assays to detect homologous nucleic acid sequences.
- Competitive radioimmunoassays to detect viral p30 protein.
- Immunologic criteria to compare viral proteins from different sources.
Main Results:
- Nucleic acid sequences homologous to baboon type C virus were detected in cellular DNA and RNA of several Old World monkeys.
- Viral antigen (p30) was detected in a normal stumptail monkey spleen and a rhesus monkey ovarian carcinoma.
- The detected p30 antigen showed close immunologic similarity to baboon type C virus p30 protein.
Conclusions:
- Normal primate tissues transcribe endogenous viral-specific RNA.
- At least one viral structural protein (p30) is translated from this endogenous viral RNA in primates.
- These findings suggest a conserved endogenous retroviral presence and expression in primate evolution.