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RNA-instructed DNA polymerase activity in a cytoplasmic particulate fraction in brains from Guamanian patients.

Nervous system tissues from a number of patients with idiopathic neurological disorders were examined for biochemical evidence of RNA tumor virus infection. RNase-sensitive DNA polymerase activity was found in a cytoplasmic particulate fraction from two patients with Guamanian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but not in brains from two normal U.S. individuals. The buoyant density of the enzyme-containing fraction was 1.16-1.18 g/ml and could be converted to a denser region of the gradient (1.24 g/ml) by treatment with the nonionic surfactant, Sterox. The cation and detergent requirements for the endogenous RNase-sensitive DNA polymerase reaction were determined. The early (5 min) endogenous reverse transcriptase product was analyzed by cesium sulfate gradient centrifugation. RNase- and heat-sensitive RNA-DNA hybrids were detected in the product analysis of two ALS, one Parkinsonism-dementia (PD) brain, and two brains from asymptomatic Chamorros but not in brains from normal U.S. individuals and a number of patients with neuro-psychiatric disorders. The DNA product was a 4.5S heteropolymer that hybridized more extensively to RNA extracted from the enzyme-containing pellet from PD brain as compared to a similar fraction from normal U.S. brain. The DNA product appeared to be unrelated to Rausvher or visna virus 70S RNA as determined by RNA-[-3H]DNA hybridization.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

No evidence for particles encapsulating RNA-instructed DNA polymerase and high molecular weight virus-related RNA in herpesvirus induced tumours of non-human primates.

The simultaneous detection test gave no evidence for the presence of RNA tumour viruses in herpesvirus induced malignant lymphomas of non-human primates. The 12 tumours tested were obtained from three different monkey species inoculated with Herpesvirus saimiri or herpesvirus ateles. Particles encapsulating RNA-instructed DNA polymerase and high mol. wt. virus-related RNA were easily demonstrated in tumours of the mouse induced by type-C or type-B oncornaviruses and in human lymphoid cells infected with simian sarcoma virus type I which were examined in parallel. Attempts to demonstrate partial expression of an oncornavirus genome in the herpesvirus induced tumours and attempts to detect an interspecies antigen related to monkey oncornaviruses were negative and strengthened the observations made with the simultaneous detection test.

Animals↗

Type C RNA tumor virus isolated from cultured human acute myelogenous leukemia cells.

Previously, type C RNA tumor virus-related components have been described in blood leukocytes from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. These components, for example, reverse transcriptase, have been shown to be most closely related to those from two oncogenic subhuman primate type C viruses (woolly monkey sarcoma virus and gibbon ape leukemia virus). Now, we report the continuous production of budding type C viruses with the same characteristic reverse transcriptase by three separate culturings of leukocytes from a single bleeding from a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia. These isolations were made possible by the discovery of a source of conditioned media which sustains exponential growth of human myelogenous leukemia cells in liquid suspension culture.

Cell Differentiation↗

RNA processing and RNA tumor virus origin and evolution.

The results of molecular hybridization experiments with high-molecular-weight RNA isolated from RNA tumor viruses and DNA from normal cells suggest that RNA tumor virus genomes originate from cell genes. Some RNA tumor viruses (here called class 1) appear to have been generated in recent times in that their RNA is closely related in nucleotide sequence to certain cell genes (class 1 genes). A second class of RNA tumor viruses (here called class 2) is more distantly related to genomic information of normal cells. Structural properties of the RNA of RNA tumor viruses lead us to propose that the tumor virus RNA is originated when RNA transcripts of class 1 genes are processed by a mechanism we call "paraprocessing." We postulate that RNA paraprocessing is normally used only at particular times during differentiation and is characterized by the cytoplasmic appearance of high-molecular-weight RNA chains containing terminal polyadenylic acid (200 residues). Paraprocessing of class 1 gene transcripts in committed or differentiated cells is considered to be aberrant in transcription that can lead to the generation of an RNA tumor virus genome. If the paraprocessed class 1 gene transcript codes for a reverse transcriptase, replication of the RNA becomes possible. Transfer of the replicating RNA to a new cell can result in genetic change such that the virus genome mutates, differing from the original progenitor genes. We propose that this genetic change causes class 1 viruses to become class 2. These ideas are applied to evidence concerning the biology of infection of RNA tumor viruses and concerning the involvement of RNA tumor viruses in human cancer. Genetic change can also occur during the origination of an RNA tumor virus genome by repeated reverse transcription and recombination (45) or by genetic alteration of particularly changeable cell genes ("hot spots") (43).

Animals↗

Isolation of type C virions from a normal human fibroblast strain.

Type C virions were spontaneously released from cultures of a diploid human cell strain. The varions have properties of known type C RNA tumor viruses and share antigenic determinants with the major interspecies-specific antigen (p30) of simian sarcoma virus. Antiserum to reverse transcriptase of gibbon ape leukemia virus inhibits the reverse transcriptase of the putative human virions and that of simian sarcoma virus, but has no effect on the corresponding enzymes of avian or murine RNA tumor viruses.

Antigens, Viral↗

Disassembly activates Retron-Septu for antiphage defense.

Retrons are antiphage defense systems that produce multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA) and hold promise for genome engineering. However, the mechanisms of defense remain unclear. The Retron-Septu system integrates retron and Septu antiphage defenses. Cryo-electron microscopy structures reveal asymmetric nucleoprotein complexes comprising a reverse transcriptase, msDNA (a hybrid of msdDNA and msrRNA), and two PtuAB copies. msdDNA and msrRNA are essential for assembling this complex, with msrRNA adopting a conserved lariat-like structure that regulates reverse transcription. Notably, the assembled Retron-Septu complex is inactive, with msdDNA occupying the PtuA DNA binding site. Activation occurs upon disassembly, releasing PtuAB, which degrades single-stranded DNA to restrict phage replication. This "arrest-and-release" mechanism underscores the dynamic regulatory roles of msDNA, advancing our understanding of antiphage defense strategies.

Cryoelectron Microscopy↗

Long-term Visna virus infection of sheep choroid plexus cells: initiation and preliminary characterization of the carrier cultures.

Two sheep choroid plexus cell cultures were maintained and propagated for 413 days since being infected with strain K796 visna virus. The majority of the cells in these cultures contained visna virus-specific antigen on days 93 and 105 after infection. Reverse transcriptase-like activity similar to that present in visna virus preparations was obtained from these cultures when very little plaque-forming virus was being synthesized. The persistently infected cultures are resistant to the cytopathic effect which occurs in uninfected cultures upon exposure to visna virus. Persistently infected cells require more time than uninfected cells to become confluent. Less than 0.02 percent of the persistently infected sheep choroid plexus cells form macroscopic colonies within 14 days, whereas 20 to 30 percent of the cells from uninfected cultures form macroscopic colonies within this time.

Animals↗

Studies on reverse transcriptase of RNA tumor viruses. I. Localization of thermolabile DNA polymerase and RNase H activities on one polypeptide.

Purified reverse transcriptase from avian myeloblastosis virus or Rous sarcoma virus consists of two subunits of average mol wt of 100,000 and 60,000. The lower-molecular-weight subunit, alpha, has been isolated from avian myeloblastosis virus, Rous sarcoma virus and a temperature-sensitive mutant of Rous sarcoma virus, LA337. Subunit alpha manifests both the DNA polymerase and RNase H activities associated with purified reverse transcriptase of avian RNA tumor viruses. The thermal inactivation of these enzymatic activities of alpha subunit from the wild-type virus. The results show that both DNA polymerase and RNase H activities associated with the alpha subunit of LA337 are five to seven times more thermolabile then the corresponding alpha subunit from the wild-type virus. It is concluded that (i) both the polymerase and nuclease activities reside on the same polypeptide chain, and (ii) at least the lower-molecular-weight subunit alpha is coded for by the viral RNA.

Avian Leukosis Virus↗

Characterization of DNA polymerase and RNA associated with A-type particles from murine myeloma cells.

The RNA-dependent DNA polymerase present in intracisternal A-type particles from mouse myeloma tumor cells has been studied. This polymerase can use either endogenous A particle RNA or an exogenous synthetic polynucleotide [poly (rA)] as a template. The DNA reaction product is small (4S-10S) and over 90% of it hybridizes to A particle RNA, whereas up to 50% of it hybridizes to murine sarcoma-leukemia virus RNAs. The RNA isolated from purified A particles is generally of low molecular weight (5S-15S) but contains small amount of 70S and 35S components. These results suggest that A-type particles may be related to C-type oncornaviruses.

Animals↗

RNA of simian sarcoma-associated virus type 1 produced in human tumor cells.

Simian sarcoma-associated virus type 1 propagated in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells exhibited characteristics typical of oncornaviruses but seemed to have several aberrant properties. It had a buoyant density of 1.14 g/cm3, had RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity, seemed to be labile to high salt concentrations, and contained little 50 to 60S RNA but relatively large amounts of human ribosomal RNA. In addition to 50 to 60S RNA, purified virions contained smaller RNA molecules with sedimentation coefficients of 28 to 30S, 18 TO 20S, and 4 to 10S. Unlike the 50 to 60S RNA species, the smaller virion-associated RNAs lacked polyadenylic acid, and the 28 to 30S RNA had an average base composition similar to that of human ribosomal RNA. Upon heat denaturation, the native 50 to 60S RNA genome yielded polyadenylic acid-containing 28 to 30S subunits that degraded in to 18 to 20S molecules upon further heat treatment. The 50 to 60S viral RNA had a guanine plus cytosine content of 56%.

Animals↗

RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity of RNA tumor viruses. V. Rous sarcoma virus single-stranded RNA-DNA covalent hybrids in infected chicken embryo fibroblast cells.

RNA-DNA covalent hybrids containing viral RNA have been isolated from nuclear fractions of Rous sarcoma virus-infected chicken embryo fibroblast cells shortly after virus infection. The formation of covalent hybrid structures depends upon a functional reverse transcriptase in vivo, since its appearance in cells is temperature dependent when infected with Rous sarcoma virus mutant LA335, which contains a temperature-sensitive reverse transcriptase.

Animals↗

Biological and physical modifications of a murine oncornavirus by 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) inhibited the release of transforming Kirsten murine sarcoma-leukemia virus [KiMSV(KiMuLV)] from transformed rat kidney (NRK-K) cells. At a concentration of 30 mM 2-DG, RNA synthesis in NRK-K cells was inhibited by approximately 30 percent and protein synthesis was inhibited by as much as 80 percent of control levels. RNA synthesis was not inhibited in nontransformed normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, although protein synthesis was equally suppressed in NRK and NRK-K cells. After treatment with 2-DG, the release of physical particles of KiMSV(KiMuLV) from NRK-K cels was not reduced as determined by equilibrium density gradient centrifugation and assays for RNA-dependent DNA polymerase of culture fluids. The ability to detect virion-associated radioactivity in equilibrium density gradients was dependent on the conditions of labeling. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of KiMSV(KiMulLV) proteins revealed marked structural alterations after propagation of the virus in 30 mM 2-DG. These alterations may account for the observed loss of transforming ability of KiMSV(KiMuLV).

Animals↗

Quantitative nucleotide sequence relationships of mammalian RNA tumor viruses.

A molecular hybridization technique has been used to quantitatively measure the nucleotide sequence relationships of selected mammalian RNA tumor viruses. Reciprocal cross-hybridization tests were done in which a given radioactively labeled, viral genomic RNA species was annealed with an excess of unlabeled, complementary DNA product synthesized in endogenously instructed reverse transcriptase reactions. Hybrid formation was measured with pancreatic RNase A. Three representative mammalian RNA tumor virus groups were examined: murine viruses, simian viruses, and feline viruses. The results of reciprocal cross-hybridization testing have revealed that the murine viruses consist of four distinctly related subgroups: (i) the Friend leukemia virus/Rauscher leukemia virus subgroup, (ii) the Gross leukemia virus subgroup, (iii) the Moloney sarcoma virus subgroup, and (iv) the Kirsten sarcoma virus subgroup. Simian sarcoma virus, the only simian virus examined, appeared to share limited interspecies sequence relationships with members of the other virus groups and in particular with Kirsten sarcoma virus. Of the two members of the feline virus group tested, Rickard feline sarcoma virus and RD-114, each was placed in a separate, unrelated subgroup. Rickard feline sarcoma virus exhibited limited sequence relatedness with members of the other virus groups, whereas RD-114 exhibited none.

Animals↗

Interspecies antigenic determinants of the reverse transcriptases and p30 proteins of mammalian type C viruses.

The major internal structural proteins (p30) of type C viruses isolated from several mammalian species were studied by radioimmunoprecipitation and competitive radioimmunoassays. Three antigenically distinguishable sets of interspecies determinants could be demonstrated by both methods. One set of determinants shared by viruses of rodent origin (mouse and rat) can be detected readily in feline leukemia viruses but not in other type C viral groups. The p30 proteins of murine viruses also contain a second discrete set of antigenic determinants related to those in infectious primate viruses and endogenous porcine viruses, but not detected in the feline leukemia virus group. The p30 proteins of endogenous viruses of baboons and domestic cats share yet a third set of cross-reactive determinants not detected in type C viruses isolated from other species of animals. Enzyme inhibition studies performed with antisera raised toward the reverse transcriptases of these same groups of type C viruses showed the same patterns of immunological cross-reactions as observed with p30 proteins. The antigenic cross-reactions between the homologous proteins of type C virus isolated from genetically distant animals may reflect transmission of type C viruses across species barriers.

Animals↗

Quantitation of avian RNA tumor virus reverse transcriptase by radioimmunoassay.

A radioimmunoassay was developed that can detect and quantitate 3 ng or more of the avian RNA tumor virus reverse transcriptase. The assay detected no antigenic sites in Rous sarcoma virus alpha virions or in virions of a murine RNA tumor virus. About 70 molecules of reverse transcriptase were found per virion of avian myleloblastosis virus with this assay or with an assay based on antibody inhibition of enzymatic activity. The assay detected about 270 ng of enzyme per mg of cell protein in virus-producing cells; uninfected cells had much less antigenic material but contained some determinants able to displace radioactive antigen. No additional antigenic determinants on reverse transcriptase could be detected that were not found on the separated alpha subunit of the enzyme. Although sevenfold less sensitive than enzymatic activity as a measure of reverse transcriptase, the radioimmunoassay can detect antigen using small amounts of protein and in the presence of inhibtors.

Animals↗

A UG5 reverse transcriptase-nitrilase antiviral module confers phage immunity in the plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti.

Bacteriophages exert strong selective pressure on soil- and rhizosphere-associated bacteria, including plant-associated symbionts. Reverse transcriptase-associated defense systems of the UG family are widespread across bacterial lineages, yet their ecological roles remain largely undefined. Within this family, UG5 systems are distinguished by reverse transcriptases fused to or associated with a nitrilase domain. Here, we combine phylogenetic, metagenomic, and functional analyses to investigate the evolutionary context and antiviral activity of UG5-associated systems. Phylogenetic analysis of 728 nitrilase domains places UG5-associated nitrilases within a well-supported UG-related radiation encompassing the UG1, UG5, and UG6 families, with UG1 nested within a broader UG5 lineage. Metagenomic analysis further revealed UG5-associated reverse transcriptases in soil- and rhizosphere-derived metagenomes. Based on this observation, we characterized a UG5-large reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated system, here designated DRT11, encoded on the pSymA megaplasmid of Sinorhizobium meliloti RMO17, a nitrogen-fixing symbiont of Medicago sativa. Despite lacking the transmembrane protein typical of canonical UG5-large architectures, DRT11 confers protection against naturally occurring M. sativa rhizosphere phages with podovirus-like morphology. Phage infection assays reveal protection at low multiplicities of infection, consistent with an abortive-infection-like mechanism. Moreover, mutational analyses demonstrate that antiviral activity requires only the RT and its fused C-terminal nitrilase domain, establishing DRT11 as a minimal UG5-associated antiviral system.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we report the functional characterization of a UG5-large reverse transcriptase-associated defense system (DRT11) encoded on the pSymA megaplasmid of the nitrogen-fixing plant symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti. Using a combination of phylogenetic, metagenomic, genomic, and experimental approaches, we demonstrate that DRT11 functions as a bona fide antiviral defense module, providing protection against naturally occurring rhizosphere phages through a minimal reverse transcriptase-nitrilase architecture. This work establishes direct functional evidence for antiviral activity within the UG5 family and clarifies the evolutionary placement of UG5-associated systems within the broader UG radiation.

Phylogeny↗