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Isolation of a unique retrovirus, MNV-1, from Macaca nemestrina
Abstract:
Cell cultures established from the spleen of a Macaca nemestrina with enzootic retroperitoneal fibromatosis (ERF) spontaneously released a unique retrovirus. Throughout 14 serial passages, the spleen cell cultures remained fibroblastic and no cytopathic effect was evident. The virus incorporates [3H]uridine, contains an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP), has a buoyant density of 1.15 g/cm3 in sucrose, and was designated MNV-1. Virion-associated reverse transcriptase showed no preference for either Mg2+ or Mn2+ in standard RDDP assays. Complementary DNA (cDNA) transcribed from polyadenylated MNV-1 RNA hybridized to genomic DNA and RNA extracted from diseased tissues but not to nucleic acids from normal tissues of a healthy Macaca nemestrina or a Macaca mulatta. MNV-1 is therefore exogenous to these species. MNV-1 had no detectable homology to the endogenous macaque virus isolates MAC-1 and MMC-1. Liquid hybridization of MNV-1 cDNA to viral RNA derived from exogenous and endogenous subhuman primate retroviruses (SiSV(SSAV), GALV-SF, BaEV-M7, and BILN) did not reveal any significant sequence homologies. In addition, MNV-1 does not share homology with bovine leukemia virus or Mason-Pfizer monkey virus as determined by Southern blot hybridization. We conclude that MNV-1 is a unique retrovirus which has not previously been described. As the ultrastructure of virions in in vitro cell cultures, as well as disease involved tissue, show some particles with type C morphology and others with type D morphology, MNV-1 may be comprised of more than one component.
Insights
A novel retrovirus, MNV-1, was isolated from Macaca nemestrina with enzootic retroperitoneal fibromatosis. This unique virus, MNV-1, shows no homology to known primate retroviruses and may have multiple components.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Primate Health
Background:
- Enzootic retroperitoneal fibromatosis (ERF) is a disease affecting Macaca nemestrina.
- Retroviruses are known to cause various diseases in primates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel retrovirus from Macaca nemestrina with ERF.
- To determine the relationship of this new retrovirus to known primate retroviruses.
Main Methods:
- Cell culture and serial passage of spleen cells from affected Macaca nemestrina.
- Biochemical characterization of the isolated virus, including RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP) activity and buoyant density.
- Nucleic acid hybridization techniques (cDNA-RNA, Southern blot) to assess homology with other retroviruses.
Main Results:
- A unique retrovirus, designated MNV-1, was isolated and propagated through 14 passages without cytopathic effect.
- MNV-1 incorporates [3H]uridine, possesses RDDP activity, and has a buoyant density of 1.15 g/cm3.
- MNV-1 is exogenous to Macaca nemestrina and Macaca mulatta, showing no homology to endogenous macaque viruses (MAC-1, MMC-1) or other primate retroviruses.
- Ultrastructure analysis revealed both type C and type D retroviral morphologies, suggesting potential complexity.
Conclusions:
- MNV-1 is a unique, previously undescribed retrovirus isolated from Macaca nemestrina with ERF.
- The virus is exogenous to the host species and distinct from known primate retroviruses.
- MNV-1 may be composed of multiple viral components due to observed mixed morphologies.