title: Expression of EBV-encoded oncogenes and EBV-like virions in multiple canine tumors.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human oncovirus. Previous studies by us and others have indicated that pet dogs frequently encounter EBV or EBV-related viral infection. In this study, we explored whether EBV is involved in canine malignancies in dogs. EBV-specific BamHI W sequence was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 10 of 12 canine tumor specimens, including 8 of 10 oral tumors. Using reverse transcription-PCR, gene expressions of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP 1) and BamHI H rightward reading frame 1 (BHRF1) were identified in 8 and 7 of 12 specimens, respectively. A novel LMP1 variant, T0905, was predominant in 5 canine tumor specimens and found to exist in EBV positive human BC-2 cells. Another LMP1 variant, T0902, was similar to human tumor variant JB7. The BHRF1 sequence identified from these canine tumors was identical to that of the B95-8 viral strain. LMP1 protein and EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) were detected by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization, respectively, in several tumors, particularly in tumor nests of oral amelanotic melanomas. Furthermore, EBV-like virions adopting a herpesvirus egress pathway were detected in a canthal fibroblastic osteosarcoma and an oral amelanotic melanoma. In conclusion, we report the expressions of BHRF1 transcript (a viral anti-apoptotic protein), LMP1 (a viral oncoprotein) transcript and protein, EBER (a viral oncogenic RNA), and EBV-like virions in multiple canine tumors. The identity of BHRF1 and the resemblance of LMP1 variants between canine and human tumors indicate either a close evolutionary relationship between canine and human EBV, or the possibility of zoonotic transmission.
authors: Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Hung-Chuan
authors: HC
authors: Chiu
authors: Kuan-Chih
authors: KC
authors: Chow
authors: Yi-Hsin
authors: YH
authors: Fan
authors: Shih-Chieh
authors: SC
authors: Chang
authors: Shiow-Her
authors: SH
authors: Chiou
authors: Shu-Fen
authors: SF
authors: Chiang
authors: Che-Hao
authors: CH
authors: Chiou
authors: Guo-Hua
authors: GH
authors: Wu
authors: Hsiu-Ching
authors: HC
authors: Yang
authors: Shu-Peng
authors: SP
authors: Ho
authors: Yuh-Kun
authors: YK
authors: Chen
authors: Wei-Cheng
authors: WC
authors: Lee
authors: H Sunny
authors: HS
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014771:Virion / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins