Partial characterization of viral DNA from human genital warts (Condylomata acuminata)

By centrifuging total cellular DNA derived from human genital warts (condylomata acuminata) in CsCl-ethidium bromide gradients, supercoiled DNA was isolated. The molecular weight of this DNA was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and amounted to 5.1 X 10(4). This DNA isolated from an individual genital wart was annealed to fractions of aqueous supernatants of the same wart after prior centrifugation of this material in CsCl density gradients. Annealing was observed at a density of approximately 1.32 g/ml corresponding to the expected density of papilloma virus particles. Since such particles were also observed in the same preparation by electron microscopy, it was concluded that the supercoiled DNA molecules were derived from papilloma virus nucleocapsids. Positive hybridization was found with six additional preparations from individual genital warts. Therefore, it seems that the isolated DNA prevails in condylomata acuminata. The DNA is different from the other five types of human papilloma viruses described thus far in regard to its restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns. The virus analyzed is tentatively designated as human papilloma virus type 6 (HPV 6).