Isolation of separate precursor polypeptides for the mouse mammary tumor virus glycoproteins and nonglycoproteins

Analysis of gag proteins from mouse mammary tumor virus

Structural proteins designated p10gag, p21gag, p8gag, p3gag, p27gag, and p14gag from the C3H strain of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) were purified by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. The N- and C-terminal amino acid sequences and amino acid composition of each protein were determined and compared with the amino acids encoded by the proviral DNA sequences for the MMTV gag gene. The results show that each of the purified proteins is a proteolytic cleavage product derived from the predicted primary translational product of the gag gene (Pr77gag) and that their order in Pr77gag is p10-pp21-p8-p3-n-p27-p14 (where n represents 17 predicted residues that were not identified among the purified proteins). Purified p10gag lacks the initiator methionine and has a myristoyl group attached in amide linkage to the N-terminal glycine residue predicted by the second codon of the gag gene. The cleavage products are contiguous in the sequence of Pr77gag, and the C-terminal residue of p14gag is encoded by the last codon of the gag gene. By analogy with other retrovirus, p14gag is the viral nucleocapsid protein, p10gag is the matrix protein, and p27gag is the capsid protein of mature MMTV. Proteolytic cleavage sites in MMTV Pr77gag bear a striking resemblance to cleavage sites in the gag precursors of D-type retroviruses, suggesting that these viral proteases have similar specificities.

Expression and disposition of the murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) envelope gene products by murine mammary tumor cells

Three murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV)-producing epithelial cell lines derived from murine mammary tumors were examined in order to identify the MuMTV-specific cell surface antigens and their distribution on the cell surface, to study the kinetics of the MuMTV envelope precursor processing, virus assembly, and release, and to characterize the soluble MuMTV antigens that are shed into culture medium. Cell surface labeling experiments showed that only the mature MuMTV envelope glycoproteins gp52 and gp36 were exposed on the cell surface, and that gp52 was more abundant than gp36. In cells producing large quantities of MuMTV, expression of gp52 on the cell surface was shown by immunoelectron microscopy to be localized predominantly on the surface of budding virions and not on smooth areas of the cell surface where virus was not budding. The cell surface associated gp36 was found not to be incorporated into budding virions. A few cells in all three cell lines were found to produce only a few or no MuMTV particles and in these cells, unlike in the high virus-producing cells, considerable quantities of gp52 were expressed on the surface membrane. All three cell lines were found to shed large amounts of the MuMTV env precursor polyprotein as well as the mature non-virion-associated glycoprotein, gp52, into the culture medium. The envelope precursor protein (P75env) that was shed into the culture medium was found to differ from the predominant form of the cellular env precursor (Pr70env) in that (1) P75env migrated with an apparent higher molecular weight than Pr70env in SDS gels; (2) Pr70env contained only the core oligosaccharide, whereas P75env contained fucose in addition to the core sugars; (3) two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis showed that Pr70env could be resolved into three to four components migrating in the basic region of the isoelectric focussing gel (pH 7-8), whereas P75env was resolved into 9-13 components migrating in a more acidic region of the gel (pH 5-7). The molecular structure of the exfoliated gp52 was found to be similar to that of the gp52 that was incorporated into the virions although the virion-associated gp52 was not the source of the gp52 in the medium. Our quantitative pulse-chase studies suggest that of the two populations of MuMTV env precursors that are present in MuMTV-producing cells, only Pr70env is processed intracellularly to give rise to the mature MuMTV envelope proteins gp52 and gp36.

Effect of hormones on the expression of proviral genes Mtv-2 and Mtv-3 in mouse mammary gland

We have investigated the expression of the Mtv-2 and Mtv-3 proviral genes in mouse mammary glands by examining the effect of hormones on levels of mammary tumor virus (MTV) proteins p27 (gag) and gp52 (env) in mouse mammary explants. We also investigated the effect of the hormones on DNA synthesis in the explants. The mammary glands were derived from inbred GR and 020 mice, and from the respective congenic mouse strains GR/Mtv-2- and 020/Mtv-2+. The addition of insulin to the culture medium caused increases in p27 and gp52 levels in GR and 020/Mtv-2+ glands; a further increase in the viral proteins was obtained by also adding dexamethasone. Prolactin in combination with progesterone enhanced p27 and gp52 levels, but to a lesser extent than did dexamethasone. Dexamethasone caused a slight but significant increase in p27 protein in mammary explants from GR/Mtv-2- mice. Our data indicate that the Mtv-2 locus and the Mtv-3 locus in mouse mammary gland are under separate glucocorticoid control, and that Mtv-2 expression is also stimulated by the prolactin and progesterone combination. Whereas dexamethasone enhances MTV protein levels in mouse mammary explants, it inhibits DNA synthesis in the explants.

Cloned mouse mammary tumor virus DNA exhibits glucocorticoid-dependent expression in simian virus 40-transformed mink cells

Mink lung epithelial cells were transfected with two cloned mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) DNAs, a 9-kilobase clone derived from an unintegrated exogenous viral genome and a 14-kilobase clone containing an integrated endogenous provirus along with cellular flanking sequences. Mink lung cells were chosen because they do not contain endogenous MMTV sequences. On the basis of our observation that simian virus 40 DNA efficiently transforms these cells, we isolated cell clones containing MMTV DNA by using transformation with simian virus 40 DNA as a selective marker in cotransfection experiments. Levels of the 9-kilobase MMTV mRNA representing the entire viral genome and of the spliced 4.4-kilobase mRNA which codes for the viral envelope proteins were glucocorticoid dependent in transformed cells. Expression of low levels of Pr77gag, the precursor of the group-specific viral core proteins, and of gPr73env, the precursor of the viral envelope proteins, was also hormone dependent. We conclude that these cloned MMTV DNAs contain all the information necessary for the synthesis of normal viral RNAs and proteins. These findings also provide further evidence that the DNA sequences involved in the hormone responsiveness of MMTV expression are contained within the viral genome.

Precursor polypeptides to structural proteins of visna virus

Visna virus is a retrovirus which replicates in fibroblast-like cells of the sheep choroid plexus through a lytic cycle. Visna virions contain three major low-molecular-weight proteins (p30, p16, and p14) which, together with the genomic RNA and several molecules of reverse transcriptase, constitute the core structure of the virions. The core is surrounded by an envelope containing a major glycoprotein (gp135). By analogy with the oncoviruses, these three groups of structural proteins (i.e., the internal proteins, the envelope glycoprotein, and the reverse transcriptase) are probably encoded by the gag, env, and pol genes, respectively. To elucidate the genetic organization of the visna virus genome and its expression, we studied the synthesis of viral proteins in infected sheep choroid plexus cells. Intracellular viral proteins were detected by immunoprecipitation of pulse-labeled cell extracts with monospecific sera raised against p30, p16, and gp135 and resolution of the proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Immunoprecipitation with anti-p30 and anti-p16 sera allowed the characterization of the 55,000-dalton polypeptide precursor to internal virion proteins p30, p16, and p14 (Pr55(gag)). Tryptic peptide mapping confirmed the precursor-product relationship between Pr55(gag) and the three internal proteins. In addition, a gag-related polypeptide of 150,000 daltons was also detected. This polypeptide, which was less abundant than Pr55(gag), is a likely precursor to the viral reverse transcriptase (Pr150(gag-pol)). Pr55(gag) and Pr150(gag-pol) are not glycosylated. The precursor related to major envelope protein gp135 is a glycosylated polypeptide with an average molecular weight of 150,000 (gPr150(env)). Pulse-chase experiments indicated that gPr150(env) matures into glycoprotein gp135 intracellularly; however, gp135 was never preponderant in cell extracts. The non-glycosylated from of gPr150(env), which accumulated in the presence of 2-deoxy-d-glucose, appeared as a polypeptide of about 100,000 daltons. These results indicated that visna virus codes for the largest non-glycosylated env-related precursor among all of the retroviruses and therefore probably contains the largest env gene.

Processing and amino acid sequence analysis of the mouse mammary tumor virus env gene product

The envelope proteins of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) are synthesized from a subgenomic 24S mRNA as a 75,000-dalton glycosylated precursor polyprotein which is eventually processed to the mature glycoproteins gp52 and gp36. In vivo synthesis of this env precursor in the presence of the core glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin yielded a precursor of approximately 61,000 daltons (P61env). However, a 67,000-dalton protein (P67env) was obtained from cell-free translation with the MMTV 24S mRNA as the template. To determine whether the portion of the protein cleaved from P67env to give P61env was removed from the NH2-terminal end of P67env and as such would represent a leader sequence, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the terminal peptide gp52 was determined. Glutamic acid, and not methionine, was found to be the amino-terminal residue of gp52, indicating that the cleaved portion was derived from the NH2-terminal end of P67env. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of gp52's from endogenous and exogenous C3H MMTVs were determined though 46 residues and found to be identical. However, amino acid composition and type-specific gp52 radioimmunoassays from MMTVs grown in heterologous cells indicated primary structure differences between gp52's of the two viruses. The nucleic acid sequence of cloned MMTV DNA fragments (J. Majors and H. E. Varmus, personal communication) in conjunction with the NH2-terminal sequence of gp52 allowed localization of the env gene in the MMTV genome. Nucleotides coding for the NH2 terminus of gp52 begin approximately 0.8 kilobase to the 3' side of the single EcoRI cleavage site. Localization of the env gene at that point agrees with the proposed gene order -gag-pol-env- and also allows sufficient coding potential for the glycoprotein precursor without extending into the long terminal repeat.

Synthesis of murine mammary tumor viral proteins in vitro

The coding potential of murine mammary tumor viral genomic RNA was investigated by in vitro translation of various size classes of RNAs isolated from the virions. The major products of translation of full-size 35S polyadenylylated virion RNA were gag-related polyproteins of 75,000, 105,000, and 180,000 daltons (P75, P105, and P180, respectively). Studies on the kinetics of translation of these three proteins established that they were synthesized independently and that the smaller proteins were not post-translational cleavage products of the larger proteins. Tryptic peptide mapping showed that almost all of the P75 sequences were contained within P105 and almost all of the P105 sequences were contained within P180. The syntheses of all three proteins were inhibited by m7GTP, indicating that they were translated from capped mRNA's. Although a 24S polyadenylylated RNA had been identified as the intracellular mRNA for env precursor polyprotein, no such protein could be translated from the 24S polyadenylylated RNA isolated from the virions. However, translation of a 14S size class of polyadenylylated virion yielded four prominent proteins of about 36,000, 23,000, 21,000, and 20,000 daltons. These proteins were unrelated to murine mammary tumor viral structural proteins, as suggested from tryptic peptide mapping and immunoprecipitation data. They might be the products of an as-yet-unidentified gene located near the 3' terminus of the murine mammary tumor viral genomic RNA.

Cloned mouse mammary tumor virus DNA is biologically active in transfected mouse cells and its expression is stimulated by glucocorticoid hormones

We have cloned circular unintegrated mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) DNA from infected rat hepatoma cells in bacteriophage lambda. Seven independent clones containing MMTV DNA of homogeneous length of 9 kb (five) or 10 kb (two) were identified. The five 9 kb clones had identical restriction maps consistent with that of 9 kb unintegrated DNA; the other two were aberrant. MMTV DNA inserts were purified, ligated and used for cotransfection of Ltk- cells together with a plasmid containing the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus. All Tk+ cell clones acquired new MMTV sequences and those transfected with the 9 kb MMTV DNA synthesized normal viral RNA and proteins. Viral gene expression was increased by the addition of dexamethasone.

Protein-coding potential of mouse mammary tumor virus genome RNA as examined by in vitro translation

The protein-coding capacity of the mouse mammary tumor virus genome has been examined by in vitro translation of genome length and polyadenylated subgenomic fragments of viral RNA. Intact genome RNA of about 35S programmed synthesis of the Pr77gag, Pr110gag and Pr160gag/pol precursors seen in infected cells in vivo. Polyadenylated RNA fragments of 18 to 28S encoded products whose tryptic peptide maps resembled those of the nonglycosylated precursor to the envelope glycoproteins, confirming the gene order 5'-gag-pol-env-3'. Translation of polyadenylated RNA fragments smaller than 18S yielded a series of related proteins whose peptide maps bore no resemblance to any of the virion structural proteins. Thus, a region of the mouse mammary tumor virus genome distal to the env gene appears to have an open reading frame sufficient to encode at least 36,000 daltons of protein as of yet unknown function.

Localization of a gene for expression of mouse mammary tumor virus antigens in the GR/Mtv-2- mouse strain

The GR/Mtv-2- mouse strain is congenic to the GR strain but lacks the Mtv-2 gene for high amounts of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) virion particles in the milk and early mammary tumors. With a sensitive competition radioimmunoassay for individual viral proteins of MMTV, substantial amounts of the gag proteins p27 and p10 could still be detected in extracts of the mammary glands of GR/Mtv-2- mice, but essentially no viral envelope antigens. The genetic transmission of the MMTV gag expression in the GR/Mtv-2- strain was investigated. In a cross with the virus-negative BALB/c strain, the MMTV p27 expression behaved as a dominant feature. Double backcross analysis proved that the p27 expression was governed by a single gene located on chromosome 11, cloe to the Es-3 locus. The gene was thereby not allelic to any of the previously described MMTV induction genes, Mtv-1 and Mtv-2, and is therefore called Mtv-3. It is concluded that the total MMTV expression in the GR strain is under control of two separate loci, Mtv-2 on chromosome 18, inducing high levels of complete virus particles and also early mammary tumors; and Mtv-3 on chromosome 11, coding for partial MMTV expression.

Analysis of secondary modifications of mouse mammary tumor virus proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

The structural proteins of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis on isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. Many of the viral proteins displayed heterogeneity in charge due to variable contents of carbohydrates (in particular, sialic acid) and phosphate residues. Neuraminidase treatment of the virions influenced the isoelectric pattern of the envelope glycoproteins. The glycoproteins of an MMTV variant which was attenuated by replication in feline kidney cells had different isoelectric points. This suggested that the acquisition of an altered carbohydrate configuration had changed the host range of the virus. The major MMTV structural core protein, p27, consisted of two species, which had identical iodinated tryptic peptide compositions but differed in phosphate contents. Another MMTV phosphoprotein, p21, was separated into four different phosphorylated species. Phosphorylation of p21 could be performed in vitro by the MMTV virion-associated protein kinase. This enzyme also has a high affinity for MMTV p30 as a substrate. Possible functions of this enzyme are discussed.

Structure and processing of the mouse mammary tumor virus glycoprotein precursor pr73env

The polyprotein precursor to the envelope glycoproteins of mouse mammary tumor virus was investigated by using subcellular fractionation procedures, pactomycin mapping techniques, tunicamycin inhibition of glycosylation, and endo-beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase H-catalyzed removal of glycosylated residues in order to characterize the biosynthesis and processing of the precursor. The results suggest that the precursor (Pr73env) is synthesized on the rough endoplasmic reticulum as a transmembrane protein, with the carboxyl terminus remaining on the cytoplasmic side. The apoprotein as an estimated molecular weight of 60,000 and acquires five core oligosaccharide units during synthesis. Cleavage of the precursor precedes the secondary glycosylation steps and therefore probably occurs before transport to the plasma membrane. However, a minor population of Pr73env containing complex oligosaccharides was also found in the plasma membrane. The order of the glycoproteins in the precursor, as determined by pactomycin mapping, in NH2-gp52-gp36-COOH.

Monoclonal antibodies identify individual determinants on mouse mammary tumor virus glycoprotein gp52 with group, class, or type specificity

Hybrid cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies against the C3H strain of mouse mammary tumor virus (C3H MMTV) were prepared by the fusion of mouse myeloma cells with the lymphocytes of BALB/c mice that were immunized with C3H MMTV. Approximately 10% of the hybrid cells initially plated after cell fusion produced immunoglobulins that reacted in antibody-binding assays with C3H MMTV; 40 of these cells were cloned, and 6 eventually yielded stable cell lines. High concentrations of monoclonal antibodies (5 to 20 mg/ml) were obtained from serum and ascites fluid of syngeneic mice inoculated with the hybrid cells. All of the monoclonal antibodies were directed against the envelope glycoprotein gp52. Three of the hybrid cell lines produced immunoglobulins of the immunoglobulin M subclass and three produced immunoglobulin G2a. The monoclonal antibodies showed limited charge heterogeneity in light and heavy chains when analyzed by high-resolution, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Three serologically distinct specificities were observed when these ascites fluids were tested against different strains of MMTV. The antigenic determinants detected were the following: (i) a type-specific determinant unique to the C3H strain of MMTV; (ii) class-specific determinants shared between C3H and GR MMTVs; and (iii) a group-specific determinant found on C3H, GR, RIII, and the endogenous C3H (C3Hf) MMTVs. Because monoclonal antibodies recognize single antigenic determinants, these results demonstrate for the first time that the three patterns of antigenic reactivity for MMTV are related to individual determinants on the gp52 molecule and also clearly show that one strain of MMTV can be distinguished from other strains.

Immunological characterization of the low-molecular-weight DNA binding protein of mouse mammary tumor virus

p14, a low-molecular-weight MMTV protein previously identified as having DNA-binding properties and encoded by the gag region of the MMTV genome, was purified by affinity chromatography on DNA-sepharose. Immunological characterization of the purified protein showed that MMTV p14 shares no cross-reactivity with gp52, gp36 and p10, antigens associated with the MMTV envelope, nor with p27 antigen found in the virion core. Purified MMTV p14 did show cross-reactivity with purified intracytoplasmic A particles, supporting the concept that A particles are morphological precursors to MMTV cores. In addition, shared antigenic determinants between intracytoplasmic A particles and MMTV p27, p20 and p10 were demonstrated. MMTV p14 did not cross-react with the low-molecular-weight DNA-binding proteins of MuLV or of type-C or -D viruses of higher mammals.