Expression of xenotropic-like env RNA sequences in normal DBA/2 and NZB mouse tissues

Using a DNA probe prepared from cloned env gene sequences of Friend spleen focus-forming viruses, we detected the differential expression of multiple RNA species in uninfected DBA/2 fibroblasts and in various tissues from adult DBA/2 and NZB mice. The size of the major RNA species detected was estimated to be 24S . The 24S RNA species was enriched in polyadenylate-selected preparations and thus may represent a message for endogenous viral envelope glycoproteins. The viral origin of the 24S RNA was further characterized by its hybridization to DNA probes containing the long terminal repeats of Harvey murine sarcoma virus, mouse mammary tumor virus, or the U3 region of an endogenous xenotropic virus. Although the env-related 24S RNA failed to react with either Harvey murine sarcoma virus or mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat probes, it hybridized well with the xenotropic virus long terminal repeat probe. Therefore, it is likely that the RNA detected with the Friend spleen focus-forming virus env probe reflects transcription of xenotropic envelope sequences in uninfected tissues. Our finding that the level of 24S RNA varied in different organs indicated some tissue specificity in the expression of these xenotropic-like env proteins.