Prion infection influences murine endogenous retrovirus expression in neuronal cells.
Prions as causative agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have been well investigated in experimental and modelling work. However, little is known about the molecular pathogenesis of prion-induced encephalopathies, the role of co-factors, and the interaction of prions with cellular components. We investigated the influence of prion infection on expression of murine endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), which compose approximately 10% of the mouse genome. Hypothalamic neuronal cells (GT1) and neuroblastoma cells (N2a) were examined. Both cell lines can be persistently infected with mouse adapted prion strains, i.e., RML. Using a mammalian retrovirus-specific DNA microarray and quantitative PCR methods, we compared the expression profiles of ERVs in prion-infected, uninfected, and anti-prion compound-treated murine neuronal cell lines, including clonal cell populations. The results suggest that prion infection influences ERV expression in neuronal cell lines, that this influence is cell line-specific, ERV-specific, and responsive to anti-prion compound treatment.
Institute of Molecular Virology, GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
Anna
A
Stengel
Christian
C
Bach
Ina
I
Vorberg
Oliver
O
Frank
Sabine
S
Gilch
Gloria
G
Lutzny
Wolfgang
W
Seifarth
Volker
V
Erfle
Elke
E
Maas
Hermann
H
Schätzl
Christine
C
Leib-Mösch
Alex D
AD
Greenwood
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000821:virology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester / Q000494:pharmacology; D011328:Prions / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000032:analysis; D048348:Reverse Transcription; D014771:Virion / Q000201:enzymology
D011328:Prions; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase