Human foamy virus DNA forms and expression in persistently infected Dami megakaryocytic cells

We have characterized human foamy virus (HFV) proviral DNA and determined HFV expression in a persistent infection model, the Dami megakaryocytic cell line. Molecular studies were performed on parental persistently infected cells (Dami-P), as well as on derived clones (Dami-Cl). We report that in these nonlytic and non-HFV producer cells, viral DNA was found to be integrated into the cellular genome and that the few free proviral forms detected in Dami-P cells were deleted in their 5' LTR. Our molecular analysis indicates the presence of undeleted 5' LTR forms in the integrated provirus within a proviral population mainly composed of deleted forms. In addition, the deletion in the bel1 trans-activator gene, previously described by Saïb et al., was found to be highly predominant. However, in 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine treated Dami-Cl cultures, virus production occurred, providing evidence for the presence of complete viral genome. Analysis of HFV expression in Dami-Cl cells, by Northern blot and immunoprecipitation, shows that the most striking difference between cytolytic and persistent HFV infection was the lack of expression of structural viral proteins, in contrast with Bet protein expression, which is maintained. Our data suggest that the Bet protein could be involved in the maintenance of viral persistency and that the persistently infected Dami system provides a suitable model for clarifying its function.