Isolation and characterization of a new mouse mammary tumor virus from BALB/c mice

A novel mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been isolated from mice of a subline of the BALB/cCrl Med mouse strain designated BALB/cV. Whereas breeding females of the parent BALB/cCrl Med colony have a mammary tumor incidence of 1%, 47% of the breeding females of the BALB/cV subline develop mammary tumors before 10 months of age. Foster nursing experiments demonstrated this virus, termed MMTV (BALB/c), was transmitted only by milk. The novel MMTV isolate was shown to be immunologically related to, but distinct, from the MMTV variants of C3H, GR, and RIII mice by a series of competition radioimmunoassays for the MMTV 28,000-dalton major core protein (p28), and the 52,000 (gp52)- and 36,000-dalton (gp36) major envelope glycoproteins. Monoclonal antibodies directed against MMTV gp36 were also used to clearly distinguish MMTV(BALB/c) from MMTV(C3H), MMTV(RIII), MMTV(GR), MMTV(C3HfC57BL), and MMTV(A). MMTV-specific proviral DNA content of mammary adenocarcinomas arising in the BALB/cV subline was examined with restriction endonucleases and the Southern blot technique, and compared to the MMTV proviral DNA content of BALB/cAnDe mammary tumors. The virus arising from these latter tumors has been termed MMTV(O). Analysis of EcoRI digests of high-molecular-weight DNA from both types of mammary tumors demonstrated additional MMTV-related proviral sequences when compared to the DNA of normal BALB/c tissues. The patterns generated with the restriction endonuclease SacI distinguished the additional MMTV-specific proviral information in the mammary tumors of the BALB/cV mice from the proviral information in tissues containing the GR, C3H, or RIII MMTVs, as well as from the proviral information in the BALB/cAnDe mammary tumors. These immunological and molecular studies thus define MMTV(BALB/c) as a novel MMTV variant.     

Production of mouse mammary tumor virus upon transfection of a recombinant proviral DNA into cultured cells

We have investigated the intracellular proteins synthesized in rat XC and feline kidney cells transfected with endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral DNA. The endogenous provirus GR40, associated with the Mtv-8 locus, directs the synthesis of gag proteins indistinguishable from those found in MMTV-infected cells. The env precursor Pr73env and the mature gp52 proteins could not be detected in these cells. Instead an env-related protein of 68K is synthesized. In contrast to this endogenous provirus, a cloned exogenous proviral variant directs the synthesis of apparently normal env proteins upon transfection into the same cell lines. These results suggest that the env gene of the endogenous MMTV provirus GR40 is defective. The exogenous proviral variant is not expected to synthesize virus particles since it carries a rearrangement in the gag gene. In order to obtain an MMTV provirus capable of correctly expressing both gag and env functions, we have constructed a hybrid endogenous-exogenous provirus containing the 5' long terminal repeat (LTR)-gag of GR40 and the pol-env-3' LTR of the exogenous provirus. Upon transfection into feline kidney cells, this hybrid provirus directed the synthesis of apparently authentic gag and env proteins. Further, virus particles can be detected in the culture medium of the transfected cells by electron microscopy. Viral proteins obtained from viral particles banded in a sucrose gradient were detected by immunoprecipitation.     

Endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus DNA is distributed among multiple mouse chromosomes.

We have examined the distribution of endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus-specific DNA in the genome of A/HeJ mice by using molecular hybridization and restriction endonucleases to analyze DNA from mouse-hamster hybrid clones that segregate mouse chromosomes. We have found that MMTV sequences are located on at least three separate chromosomal pairs, including chromosome number four.     

Identification and characterization of a mouse mammary tumor virus protein uniquely expressed on the surface of BALB/cV mammary tumor cells

A unique subline of BALB/c mice, designated BALB/cV, exhibits an intermediate mammary tumor incidence (47%) and harbors a distinct milk-transmitted mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). The BALB/cV subline was used to study the molecular basis of potential virus-host interactions involving cell surface-expressed MMTV proteins. Cell surface iodination identified virus-specific proteins expressed on BALB/cV primary mammary tumor cells grown in culture. In contrast to (C3H)MMTV-producing cell lines which expressed MMTV gp52, BALB/cV tumor cells lacked gp52 and expressed instead a 68K, env-related protein. The 68Kenv protein was also detected on the surface of metabolically labeled BALB/cV tumor cells by an external immunoprecipitation technique. The expression of 68Kenv was restricted to mammary tissues of BALB/cV mice that also expressed other MMTV proteins. Biochemical analysis established that 68Kenv was not modified by N-linked glycosylation. 125I-labeled 68Kenv was rapidly released into the media of tumor cell cultures and was recovered both in the form of a soluble protein and in a 100,000 g pellet. The biologic function of this cell surface-expressed viral protein remains unknown.     

Mouse mammary tumor virus can mediate cell fusion at reduced pH

Four different temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants derived from the Mahoney strain of poliovirus type 1, were crossed in an infectious center recombination test. Evidence for recombination was obtained in three crosses, with a different segregation of an unselected marker, resistance to guanidine, in each case. Evidence for genetic complementation between ts mutants was not found, except with one set of RNA- mutants, ts 221 and ts 035. The marked virus yield enhancement which was observed in cells mixedly infected by these two mutants resulted from a nonreciprocal rescue of ts 035 by ts 221. The effects of ts 221 input multiplicity and of guanidine inhibition of viral RNA replication on the rescue were analyzed. The results showed that yield enhancement of ts 035 in mixed infection could be correlated to the low level RNA replication of ts 221 at the nonpermissive temperature.     

Palindrome and palindrome-like sequences of herpes simplex virus DNA.

Temperature-sensitive (ts) replication mutants of the Rauscher (R-) strain of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) defective in post-translational processing of the 65,000 molecular weight gag-gene coded precursor (Pr65) have been used to study the initial stages in type-C virus assembly. In is mutant infected cells grown at the nonpermissive but not the permissive temperature, dense material was found below the cell membrane by electron microscopy. Within 30 sec following shiftdown of is mutant infected cells to the permissive temperature (31°) a decrease in the amount of this dense material was observed, coincident with the initiation of virus assembly. Virus assembly and the release of mature virions were completed within 2–4 min. Immunofluorescent studies using monospecific antibodies to several highly purified viral structural proteins revealed a high concentration of these proteins below the cell membrane which also diminished concurrently with virus release. From the evidence presented we propose that the submembranous dense material observed by electron microscopy represents a pool of the polypeptide precursor Pr65, which is cleaved and then incorporated into the developing virus within seconds following shiftdown of the cells to the permissive temperature.     

Cloning and physical mapping of Yaba monkey tumor virus DNA

The physical map positions for the BamHI, EcoRI, and SalI restriction fragments of Yaba monkey tumor pox virus DNA were determined using cloned virus DNA fragments as probes for hybridization as well as analyzing the secondary digests of larger DNA restriction fragments. Digests of EcoRI A and B fragments and SalI A and B fragments with BamHI allowed for the orientation of most of the BamHI restriction map. These secondary digest products were confirmed and the map positions for the EcoRI fragments were established using cloned BamHI fragments. Yaba monkey tumor virus DNA was cloned using the plasmid vector pBR322.     

Sequence homology between polyoma virus, simian virus 40, and a papilloma-producing virus from a Syrian hamster: evidences for highly conserved sequences

Sequence homology between the genomes of a hamster papovavirus (HaPV), polyoma virus (Py), and Simian virus 40 (SV40) has been studied by filter hybridization and electron microscopy under conditions of varying stringency. Hybrids between the HaPV and SV40 DNAs could be demonstrated only under nonstringent conditions. The region of highest homology was mapped in the early region of the SV40 genome. Extensive homology was detected between the genomes of HaPV and Py under stringent hybridization conditions, indicating at least 80% base matching in the regions of strongest sequence homology. These sequences were localized within both the early region and the late region of the Py genome. The homologous DNA segments mapped in the Py and the SV40 genomes are among the most strongly conserved regions in the polyoma (miopapova)-virus group.     

Structural components of mouse mammary tumor virus. I. Polypeptides of the virion.

Mouse mammary tumor virus (mMTV) obtained from MJY-alpha cell cultures and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis possesses four major polypeptides and six to eight minor components. Three of the major proteins, with estimated molecular weights of 60,000, 52,000 and 37,000, are glycoproteins, as demonstrated by labeling with [³H]glucosamine. Labeling with [³⁵S]sulfate revealed significant amounts of sulfate associated with the 60,000 (gp60) and 52,000 (gp52) glycoproteins, whereas sulfate was minimally incorporated into the 37,000 (gp37) dalton glycoprotein. At least three glycopeptide species containing both [³H]glucosamine and [³⁵S]sulfate labels were obtained after extensive Pronase digestion of mMTV, indicating that [³⁵S]sulfate is covalently linked to the carbohydrate component of mMTV glycoproteins. Variations in the polypeptide pattern of mMTV were observed when virions were grown and labeled under different culture conditions. The amount of gp60 decreased substantially, with an apparent increase in a minor polypeptide at 33,000 daltons, if virions were harvested from stationary cultures or if culture medium was not changed daily during viral harvests. When virions containing gp60 were incubated with medium from stationary cultures or with stationary cell layers, the level of gp60 decreased with a corresponding increase in the amount of radioactivity at 33,000 daltons. Cleavage of gp60 and gp52 was demonstrated by treatment of purified mMTV virions with trypsin or alpha-chymotrypsin (1–150 μg/ml) for 1 min to 3 hr. Virions were morphologically unaltered after incubation with either protease; however, both gp60 and gp52 were absent from the polypeptide patterns. The data suggest that gp52 is cleaved to form 33,000, 22,000, and possibly 37,000 dalton glycoproteins which remain associated with virions. Other mMTV virion polypeptides were resistant to treatment with protease.     

Independent polypeptide chain initiation sites for the synthesis of different classes of proteins for an RNA tumor virus: mouse mammary tumor virus.

To distinguish the synthesis of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) structural proteins on a common precursor polypeptide from their independent synthesis on separate ribosome initiation sites, we have employed the NaCl hypertonic shock technique which differentially inhibits polypeptide chain initiation on different classes of messenger RNA in eukaryotic cells. Using this method to inhibit polypeptide initiation in the MMTV-producing C3H mouse cell line $\text{Mm5mt}\text{c}{}_1$, we have selectively inhibited the synthesis of MMTV glycosylated proteins (gp52 and gp36) relative to MMTV nonglycosylated proteins (p28, p22, p18, p14, p10). These results support the concept of independent polypeptide chain initiation sites for the synthesis of these two classes of MMTV proteins. Furthermore, the use of this technique provides evidence for the lack of strict coordinate synthesis of these proteins in an MMTV-infected cell.     

The methylation pattern of endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus proviral genes is tissue specific and stably inherited

The methylation pattern of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral genes endogenous to the mouse strains C3H, 020, FM/JmsA, C57BL6, and BALB/c were investigated in various organs and mammary tumor tissue. Digestion of DNA with EcoRI or with EcoRI and HpaII followed by Southern blotting analysis and hybridization to a nick-translated MMTV DNA, allowed the distinction between the fully methylated and hypomethylated gene copies. MMTV proviral gene methylation was found to be organ specific, and the methylation pattern is stably inherited. The same proviral units present in different strains of mice exhibit the same organ-specific methylation patterns. Although proviral genes are normally heavily methylated in all tissues, hypomethylation of endogenous proviral genes was found in organs not known to express MMTV.     

Oligomerization of simian virus 40 tumor antigen may be involved in viral DNA replication

Biological implications of the oligomerization of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen for viral DNA replication were studied by using two temperature-sensitive SV40 A-gene mutants, tsA 58 and tsA 1499. Both mutants are defective at elevated temperature for viral DNA replication whereas tsA 58 is like most other tsA mutants additionally heat sensitive for cell transformation. We found that in contrast to tsA 58 encoded T antigen, tsA 1499 T antigen is thermostable in the ability to bind specifically to the origin of replication of SV40 DNA. Detailed structural analysis of tsA 1499 T antigen by sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed that it is strictly temperature sensitive for the formation of homologous oligomers but, as we reported previously (M. Montenarh, M. Kohler, and R. Henning, 1984, J. Virol, 49, 658-664), not for the association with the cellular phosphoprotein p53. These observations are compatible with the idea that, in addition to the specific origin-binding ability as well as other functional features, the oligomerization of T antigen may be essential for viral DNA replication.     

DNA synthesis in a Chlorella-like alga following infection with the virus PBCV-1

Infection of the unicellular, eukaryotic Chlorella-like alga NC64A by the large dsDNA virus, PBCV-1, resulted in a threefold increase in total DNA by 4 hr post infection. Viral infection rapidly inhibited host DNA synthesis which was followed by the degradation of the host chloroplast and nuclear DNA. Viral DNA synthesis began 30 to 40 min after infection and was dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Thus, the virus does not carry all of the components required to form a functional viral DNA polymerase into the cell.     

The coupling of DNA repair-recombination functions with DNA replication in bacteriophage T4: a new DNA repair mutant

The requirement of DNA repair-recombination functions for T4 phage DNA replication has been known for some time but the underlying basis for this relationship has been unclear. This report is concerned with a new uv-sensitive gene [uvsU], whose function appears to bridge these two major activities of DNA. The [uvsU] mutant fails to complement [uvsX] mutants but uvsU maps in a region distinct from uvsX. Furthermore, the uvsU mutation specifically suppressed the DNA replication defect but not the uv sensitivity of the uvsX mutation. The previously discovered uvsW gene, whose mutations suppress the DNA replication defects of gene 59, 46, and 47 mutations, seems to have an analogous role. As a possible explanation for these observations, it is suggested that the uvsW and uvsU gene products (gps) couple the DNA repair-recombination and replication functions by controlling the entry of DNA intermediates from the replication pool into the DNA repair-recombination pathway. Furthermore the suppression data are interpreted to suggest that the gps uvsW, 59, 46, and 47 function together. Similarly the gps uvsU and uvsX may form a functional unit.     

Intracellular forms of adenovirus DNA. VII. Excision of viral sequences from cellular DNA in adenovirus type 2-infected KB cells

The high molecular weight DNA from adenovirus type 2-infected KB cells contains viral sequences covalently linked to cell DNA. These viral sequences have been analyzed after excision from the cellular DNA using three restriction endonucleases with different specificities, Eco RI, Bam HI, and Sal I. Upon cleavage of the high molecular weight DNA from adenovirus type 2-infected KB cells with these enzymes and subsequent analysis of the generated fragments by gel electrophoresis and DNA-DNA hybridization, viral DNA sequences are found which do not coincide in size with any of the fragments of adenovirus type 2 DNA generated by the same enzyme. These viral sequences are either larger than the largest restriction endonuclease fragment of adenovirus type 2 DNA, or they are intermediate in size to virion DNA fragments. Viral sequences are also found in size classes identical to those of the corresponding virion DNA fragments. These results indicate that adenovirus DNA sequences are present in the cellular DNA from adenovirus type 2-infected cells and that these viral sequences are covalently linked to cellular DNA. The pattern in which viral sequences are found to be distributed upon cleavage with restriction endonucleases and analysis by gel electrophoresis followed by DNA-DNA hybridization to specific fragments of adenovirus type 2 DNA suggests that adenovirus type 2 DNA is integrated in fragments rather than as the intact molecule.     

Effect of dexamethasone on expression of endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus sequences in BALB/c tumor cell lines.

BALB/c mammary tumor cell lines which contain only endogenous murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV) sequences respond to dexamethasone (DXS) treatment with minimal (approximately 2-fold) increases in MMTV RNA. This is in marked contrast to the 10? to 20-fold increases observed with cell lines harboring exogenous MMTV variants. Comparison of hybridization results obtained with two complementary DNA probes representative of either the entire MMTV RNA genome or its poly(A)-adjacent sequences suggests that the DXS response of BALB/c lines is also qualitatively different from that of exogenous MMTV-producer cell lines. Thermal stability studies suggested a 2–3% divergence between the RNA sequences of endogenous BALB/c and exogenous C3H viruses, with the 3′-end of the viral RNA appearing to be conserved relative to the rest of the genome.