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Generation of AKR mink cell focus-forming viruses: a conserved single-copy xenotrope-like provirus provides
Abstract:
AKV and AKR mink cell focus-forming virus-specific probes from the envelope and long terminal repeat (LTR) regions were prepared for study of the structure of recombinant proviruses in tumor tissues of AKR mice. The results showed that (i) all somatically acquired proviruses possessed, besides a recombinant gp70 gene, an altered U3 LTR; (ii) in a substantial portion of the somatically acquired AKR mink cell focus-forming proviruses, the LTR comprised sequences derived from the same xenotropic-like provirus; (iii) this U3 LTR donating parental provirus (Xeno-dL) was present only once per genome equivalent in several mouse strains; (iv) in the strains containing the Xeno-dL provirus, the provirus was present in the same chromosomal site; (v) restriction analysis of the Xeno-dL revealed that the mink cell focus-forming gp70 sequences were derived from a parental provirus, different from Xeno-dL. Therefore, at least two non-ecotropic parents participate in the generation of leukemogenic AKR mink cell focus-forming viruses: a xenotropic-like virus, Xeno-dL, donating U3 LTR sequences, and another xenotropic-like virus or viruses providing gp70 sequences.
Insights
Recombinant mink cell focus-forming viruses in AKR mice arise from at least two parent viruses. One virus donates altered U3 LTR sequences, while another provides critical gp70 gene sequences for leukemogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- AKR mink cell focus-forming viruses are implicated in leukemogenesis in mice.
- Understanding the origin of recombinant proviruses is crucial for studying cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural origins of recombinant proviruses in AKR mouse tumor tissues.
- To identify the parental proviruses contributing to leukemogenic AKR mink cell focus-forming viruses.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of AKV and AKR mink cell focus-forming virus-specific probes from envelope and LTR regions.
- Analysis of recombinant provirus structure in tumor tissues using restriction analysis.
Main Results:
- All somatically acquired proviruses contained a recombinant gp70 gene and an altered U3 LTR.
- A significant portion of proviruses acquired LTR sequences from a xenotropic-like provirus (Xeno-dL).
- Xeno-dL was present once per genome in several mouse strains, at a consistent chromosomal site.
Conclusions:
- At least two non-ecotropic parental viruses contribute to leukemogenic AKR mink cell focus-forming viruses.
- One parent (Xeno-dL) donates U3 LTR sequences, while another provides gp70 sequences.
- The findings elucidate the complex genetic recombination events leading to viral leukemogenesis.