The early region of human papovavirus JC induces dysmyelination in transgenic mice.
Transgenic mice containing the early region of human papovavirus JC were produced. Some of these mice exhibited a shaking disorder similar to the previously described mutant mice jimpy or quaking. Neuropathological analysis indicated a dysmyelination in the central nervous system, but not the peripheral nervous system. A high level of JCV T-antigen mRNA was present in the brains of the mice exhibiting the myelin disorder. JC virus is associated in humans with a degenerative demyelinating disease: progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The JCV-containing transgenic mice may therefore provide an animal model for studying this disease.
D000818:Animals; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics; D010375:Pedigree; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014162:Transfection
D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral