Characterization of an integrated, endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus-like (MMTV) betaretrovirus genome in a black Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Horváth, Katalin Barbara and Boros, Ákos and Kálmán, Endre and Pankovics, Péter and Delwart, Eric and Reuter, Gábor (2019) Characterization of an integrated, endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus-like (MMTV) betaretrovirus genome in a black Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION, 75. ISSN 1567-1348

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Abstract

Retroviruses (family Retroviridae) are important agents of humans and animals. This study reports the detection and complete genome characterization of a novel endogenous retrovirus from the black Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) with a squamous cell skin tumor. The proviral genome, tentatively named black Syrian hamster retrovirus (BSHRV/2013/HUN, MK304634), was 8784 nucleotide in length with typical full-length betaretrovirus genome organization of 5’LTR-gag-pro-pol-env-3’LTR and with a characteristic mouse mammary tumor virus-like (MMTV) betaretrovirus dUTPase domain but without a sag gene. The BSHRV gag (534aa), pro/ pol (~1099aa) and env (672aa) proteins had 56%/63%/50% aa identity to the corresponding proteins of MMTV (AF228552). The proviral DNA is detectable in tumor as well as in tumor-free cells by conventional PCR and qPCR but only visible in the tumor cells by in situ hybridization. Low level retroviral RNA expression was found only in the DNase-treated RNA tumor samples using RT/nested PCR. BSHRV/2013/HUN-like betaretrovirus DNA was also identified from a faecal and tissue samples from 1 of the further 3 tested individuals by nested-PCR and qPCR. Further research is needed to investigate the distribution, activity and etiological role of this novel MMTV-like betaretrovirus species in hamster.

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