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T-antigen-independent replication of polyomavirus DNA in murine embryonal carcinoma cells

Journal Article · · Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.4.2.317· OSTI ID:5942141
Expression of wild-type polyomavirus (Py) is restricted in murine embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. The block appears to be located at the level of early transcription. Since no T antigen is produced, the authors investigated the fate of viral DNA upon infection of these cells; they showed that wild-type Py DNA replicates efficiently in all EC cells, probably via a T-antigen-independent mechanism. Furthermore, they studied, at permissive and restrictive temperatures, the replication of tsa (thermosensitive for T antigen) viral DNA of an in vitro-constructed deletion mutant lacking part of the early region coding sequences and of a double mutant carrying both the tsa mutation and the PyEC F9 mutation (allowing expression of early and late viral functions in EC cells). The results imply that replication of wild-type A2 strain Py DNA can occur in EC cells in the absence of a functional T antigen. However, this protein clearly enhances viral DNA replication and is absolutely required in differentiated cells.
Research Organization:
Laboratoire des Virus Oncogenes de l'Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Institut de Recherches Scientifiques sur le Cancer, 94802 Villejuif Cedex
OSTI ID:
5942141
Journal Information:
Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Mol. Cell. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 4:2; ISSN MCEBD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English