Stability of JC virus coding sequences in a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in which the viral control region was rearranged markedly.
BACKGROUND
It is generally accepted that JC virus variants in the brains of patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy are generated from archetypal strains through sequence rearrangement (deletion and duplication, or deletion alone) in the control region. This change is thought to occur during persistence of JC virus in patients.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was performed to ascertain whether amino acid substitution in the viral proteins is involved in the generation and propagation of JCV variants with rearranged control regions.


METHODS
Many complete JC DNA clones were established from brain tissues (cerebellum, occipital lobe, and brainstem) autopsied in a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in which multiple distinct control sequences were detected. Control and coding sequences were determined and compared among the JC DNA clones.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight control-region and 20 coding sequences of JC virus were compared. Five rearranged control sequences were detected, but they could be classified into 3 groups that shared common structural features. Viral coding sequences were identical among clones with different control regions and among clones derived from different brain regions.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present case, nucleotide substitution in the viral coding regions (and resultant amino acid change in the viral proteins) was involved neither in the genesis of rearranged JC virus variants nor in the proliferation of demyelinated lesions in the brain.
Department of Urology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Huai-Ying
HY
Zheng
Yukiharu
Y
Yasuda
Shunichi
S
Kato
Tadaichi
T
Kitamura
Yoshiaki
Y
Yogo
D000293:Adolescent; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins