Detection and characterization of a glycoprotein encoded by the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat gene

Mls: A Link Between Immunology and Retrovirology

The nature of the mysterious minor lymphocyte stimulating (Mls) antigens has recently been clarified. These molecules which were key elements for our current understanding of immune tolerance, have a strong influence on the mouse immune system and are encoded by the open reading frame (orf) of endogenous and exogenous mouse mammary tumor viruses (MMTV's). The knowledge that these antigens are encoded by cancerogenic retroviruses opens an interdisciplinary approach for understanding the mechanisms of immune responses and immune tolerance, retroviral carcinogenesis, and retroviral strategies for infection.

The role of superantigens in the immunobiology of retroviruses

Murine mammary tumour viruses (MMTVs) are retroviruses that encode superantigens capable of stimulating T cells via superantigen-reactive T cell receptor V beta chains. MMTVs are transmitted to the suckling offspring via the milk. We have established that class II and B cell-deficient mice that were foster nursed by virus-secreting mice do not transfer infectious MMTVs to their offspring. No MMTV proviruses could be detected in the spleen and mammary tissue of these mice and there was no deletion of MMTV superantigen-reactive T cells. These results confirm that superantigen expression in the context of MHC class II molecules is required for MMTV transmission. We conclude that B cells are essential for the completion of the viral life cycle in vivo. This indicates that B cells are infected first and that viral amplification takes place only if infected B cells present the MMTV superantigen on their surface which, in turn, results in activation of T cells expressing the appropriate T cell receptor V beta chains. These activated T cells stimulate B cells which enables viral replication. Human T cells carry all the structural features required for an efficient response to murine retrovirally encoded superantigens. Superantigen-like stimulation of human T cells has been demonstrated in both infectious and autoimmune diseases. Human immunodeficiency virus may encode a superantigen but this has not been proven.

DNA Polymerases for Translesion DNA Synthesis: Enzyme Purification and Mouse Models for Studying Their Function

This chapter discusses experimental methods and protocols for the purification and preliminary characterization of DNA polymerases that are specialized for the replicative bypass (translesion DNA synthesis) of base or other types of DNA damage that typically arrest high-fidelity DNA synthesis, with particular emphasis on DNA polymerase kappa (Polkappa from mouse cells). It also describes some of the methods employed in the evaluation of mouse strains defective in genes that encode these enzymes.

A mouse mammary tumor virus-like long terminal repeat superantigen in human breast cancer

We previously reported a 660-bp mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like env gene sequence in approximately 38% of human breast cancer DNA, but not in normal breasts or other tumors. This MMTV-like env gene sequence was expressed in 66% of the env gene-positive human breast cancers. An entire proviral structure was identified in human breast cancer DNA with high homology to MMTV and low homology to known human endogenous retrovirus. MMTV-like long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences were also detected in 41.5% of human breast cancers. They contain hormone-responsive elements, TEF-1 family elements, and the open reading frame for the superantigen (SAg). We have now amplified and sequenced MMTV-like sag sequences from 10 human breast cancers, and we found that they are highly homologous to those of MMTV. However, deletions and insertions at the COOH-terminal of sag were observed. The immune function of the human MMTV-like LTR SAg was also investigated. The sag gene was cloned and expressed in a human B-cell line (Ramos). T-cell proliferation and cytokine releasing assays were performed after cocultivation of T cells with irradiated Ramos SAg-expressing cells. The results indicate that expression of the human SAg stimulates T-cell activation in vitro, as the mouse SAg does. Because the T-cell responses in vitro are considered similar to those in vivo, these results suggest that the human LTR SAg might also play a role in human breast carcinogenesis.

The type B leukemogenic virus truncated superantigen is dispensable for T-cell lymphomagenesis

Type B leukemogenic virus (TBLV) is a variant of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) that causes T-cell lymphomas in mice. We have constructed a TBLV-MMTV hybrid, pHYB-TBLV, in which 756 bp of the C3H MMTV long terminal repeat (LTR) was replaced with 438 bp of the TBLV LTR. Intraperitoneal injection of pHYB-TBLV transfectants consistently resulted in T-cell lymphomas in 50% of injected weanling BALB/c mice with an average latency period of 5.7 (+/- 1.5) months. Transfectants of pHYB-TBLV containing a double-frameshift mutation in the truncated superantigen gene (sag) induced T-cell lymphomas with similar incidences, latency periods, and phenotypes, suggesting that cis-acting elements in the TBLV LTR determine disease specificity.

Expression of the androgen-dependent MMTV-specific orf gene in Shionogi 115 mouse mammary tumor cells

The Shionogi 115 (S115) mouse mammary tumor cells express the MMTV-specific 1.7 kb mRNA (orf) at a high level in the presence of androgens. In lymphoid cells the orf-gene encodes a superantigen which has an important role in establishing self-tolerance but in mammary and breast cancer cells the function of the orf gene is unclear. In the present work we studied the expression of the S115 mammary tumor cell orf sequence and its role in the androgen regulated growth of S115 cells. The cloning and sequencing of the cDNA specific for the 1.7 kb mRNA from the S115 mouse mammary tumor cells revealed a 990 bp DNA sequence with a 99.8% homology to the Mtv-17 proviral strain. There was a difference of only one amino acid (isoleu-tyr) in the coding region. A peptide was synthesized according to the hypervariable C-terminal part of the predicted protein and used to raise a rabbit antiserum. The anti-S115-orf antiserum immunoprecipitated an approximately 45 kDa protein from the metabolically labeled S115 cell lysates. In order to analyze the putative functions of the protein, the orf-sequence was linked to MoMLV-LTR and to the human ss-actin promoter in the mammalian expression vectors pLTRpoly and pHssAPr-1-neo, respectively, and transfected into NIH3T3 and S115 cells. NIH3T3 transfectants expressing orf mRNA did not show a transformed phenotype in vitro. The S115 orf transfectants proliferated somewhat more slowly than the vector transfected control cells in cell culture, both in the presence or absence of androgen, but there was no obvious change in the phenotype of S115 cells or in expression of the fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF-8). This factor is activated by Mtv-6 integration and mediates androgen effects in these cells. Unexpectedly, however, the formation of tumors by S115 orf cells in nude mice was considerably prolonged and tumor growth retarded when compared with vector transfected control or parent S115 cells. The results suggest that MMTV-orf can be functional in breast cancer cells but the mechanism of the growth repressive effect in mammary tumor remains to be analyzed.

A role for herpesvirus saimiri orf14 in transformation and persistent infection

The product of open reading frame 14 (orf14) of herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) exhibits significant homology with mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen. orf14 encodes a 50-kDa secreted glycoprotein, as shown previously (Z. Yao, E. Maraskovsky, M. K. Spriggs, J. I. Cohen, R. J. Armitage, and M. R. Alderson, J. Immunol. 156:3260-3266, 1996). orf14 expressed from recombinant baculovirus powerfully induces proliferation of CD4-positive cells originating from several different species. To study the role of orf14 in transformation, a mutant form of HVS (HVS Deltaorf14) was constructed with a deletion in the orf14 gene. The transforming potential of HVS Deltaorf14 was tested in cell culture and in common marmosets. Parental HVS subgroup C strain 488 immortalized common marmoset T lymphocytes in vitro to interleukin-2-independent growth, while the HVS Deltaorf14 mutant did not produce such a growth transformation. In addition, HVS Deltaorf14 was nononcogenic in common marmosets. In contrast to other nononcogenic HVS mutant viruses which were repeatedly isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infected marmosets for more than 5 months, HVS Deltaorf14 did not persist at a high level in vivo. These results demonstrate that orf14 of HVS is not required for replication but is required for transformation and for high-level persistence in vivo.

Mtv-1 superantigen trafficks independently of major histocompatibility complex class II directly to the B-cell surface by the exocytic pathway

Presentation of the Mtv-1 superantigen (vSag1) to specific Vbeta-bearing T cells requires association with major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. The intracellular route by which vSag1 trafficks to the cell surface and the site of vSag1-class II complex assembly in antigen-presenting B lymphocytes have not been determined. Here, we show that vSag1 trafficks independently of class II to the plasma membrane by the exocytic secretory pathway. At the surface of B cells, vSag1 associates primarily with mature peptide-bound class II alphabeta dimers, which are stable in sodium dodecyl sulfate. vSag1 is unstable on the cell surface in the absence of class II, and reagents that alter the surface expression of vSag1 and the conformation of class II molecules affect vSag1 stimulation of superantigen reactive T cells.

Mouse mammary tumor virus superantigens require N-linked glycosylation for effective presentation to T cells

Mouse mammary tumor viruses (MMTVs) encode superantigens that associate with major histocompatibility complex class II products on antigen-presenting cells and stimulate T cells in a V beta-specific manner. This T cell activation is critical for completion of the viral life cycle and vertical transmission to the next generation. To investigate the functional significance of extensive viral superantigen (Sag) glycosylation, we disrupted the six potential sites for N-linked carbohydrate addition in the Sag encoded by proviral integrant Mtv-1. Shifts in the apparent molecular mass of these mutant glycoproteins suggested that wild-type Mtv-1 Sag is glycosylated on four of its six sites. Intracellular and cell surface staining of the panel of mutants indicated that any decrease in glycosylation resulted in reduced levels of intracellular protein and undetectable surface expression, suggesting that decreased glycosylation leads to rapid Sag degradation and abates trafficking to the plasma membrane. Nevertheless, several mutants with intermediate levels of glycosylation expressed enough Sag on the B cell surface to potently stimulate reactive T cell hybrids. We show there is no specific site bearing N-linked glycosylation that is essential for activity, but at least one carbohydrate addition is necessary for effective B cell presentation of MMTV superantigens to T cells.

In vivo effects of a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing a mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen

Early after infection, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) expresses a superantigen (SAg) at the surface of B lymphocytes. Interaction with the T-cell receptor Vbeta domain induces a polyclonal proliferative response of the SAg-reactive T cells. Stimulated T cells become anergic and are deleted from the T-cell repertoire. We have used a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding the MMTV(GR) SAg to dissect the effects of the retroviral SAg during an unrelated viral infection. Subcutaneous infection with this recombinant vaccinia virus induces a very rapid increase of Vbeta14 T cells in the draining lymph node. This stimulation does not require a large Plumber of infectious particles and is not strictly dependent on the expression of the major histocompatibility complex class II I-E molecule, as it is required after MMTV(GR) infection. In contrast to MMTV infection during which B cells are infected, we do not observe any clonal deletion of the reactive T cells following the initial stimulation phase. Our data show that contrary to the case with MMTV, macrophages but not B cells are the targets of infection by vaccinia virus in the lymph node, indicating the ability of these cells to present a retroviral SAg. The altered SAg expression in a different target cell observed during recombinant vaccinia virus infection therefore results in significant changes in the SAg response.

Negative-acting factor and superantigen are separable activities of the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat

The open reading frame contained within the long terminal repeat (LTR) of mouse mammary tumor virus encodes Naf, a negative regulator of transcription, as well as a superantigen activity, Sag, which causes the deletion of specific classes of T cells. In the present study, the effect of Naf expression on different promoters and the coding requirements for Naf and Sag have been investigated. Sag activity was found to require only sequences in the LTR, whereas sequences located within the gag gene were additionally required for functional Naf activity. Surprisingly, both the classic promoter and a recently described promoter located in the LTR can give rise to both functional Naf and Sag. Further analysis of Naf revealed that the downregulatory effect was mediated by sequences located in the LTR and that heterologous promoters were also affected by Naf.

Evidence for superantigen activity of the Bel 3 protein of the human foamy virus

The human foamy virus is a complex retrovirus that codes for several regulatory bel genes in addition to the conventional gag, pol, and env genes. The bel 3 gene is located in the 3' part of the viral genome comparable to that of the superantigen of the mouse mammary tumor virus. Superantigens bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules have been shown to stimulate T cells in a V beta-specific manner. The recombinant Bel 3 protein purified to near homogeneity was assayed in vitro to determine whether or not it functions as a superantigen that stimulates human T lymphocytes expressing particular V beta T cell receptor (TCR) chains. Therefore, an analysis including all known human V beta elements was performed. The expression of different V beta chains of the TCR was analyzed by reverse transcription of the V beta RNAs and subsequent amplification of the corresponding V beta cDNA elements by polymerase chain reaction in unstimulated, phytohemaggluttinin (PHA)- and Bel 3-stimulated human T lymphocytes. In addition, eight monoclonal antibodies directed against particular V beta family members were used to determine any change in the expression of the remaining known V beta elements upon treatment with PHA and Bel 3. The comparative V beta-specific transcriptional analysis revealed that the in vitro expression of the V beta 18 chain was specifically and strongly expanded in Bel 3-stimulated human T cells, a property characteristic for a superantigen.

T-cell activation by superantigens

Superantigens stimulate powerful T-cell responses that can have marked effects in vivo, sometimes leading to shock or even death. The demonstration that strong T-cell responses to superantigens in vivo can be followed by tolerance, reflecting either clonal elimination or anergy, has provided important insights into how mature T cells can be regulated. Further progress in understanding the factors that control these responses relies heavily on defining the specific interactions between T-cell receptors, superantigens and major histocompatibility complex molecules which lead to T-cell activation as well as on the characterization of the specific signal transduction events and molecules involved in this activation. Significant progress has been made, during the past year, in the first area and these findings are summarized below; though less information is available in the latter area, recent observations relevant to this issue are discussed.

The 3' half of the mouse mammary tumor virus orf gene is not sufficient for its superantigen function in transgenic mice

The Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) long terminal repeat contains an open reading frame (orf) of 960 nucleotides encoding a 36 kDa polypeptide with a putative transmembrane domain and five N-glycosylation sites in the N-terminal part of the protein. Transgenic mice bearing either the complete or the 3' terminal half of the orf sequence of MMTV-GR under the control of the SV40 promoter were raised. As shown previously by FACS analysis transgenic mice which express the complete orf gene have a significant deletion of V beta 14 expressing T cells at 6 weeks of age. Here we show that no clonal deletion of V beta 14 bearing T cells takes place in transgenic mice that contain orf sequences from the fifth ATG to the termination codon. The pattern of tissues expressing the truncated transgene was studied by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and was very similar to the one obtained in the V beta 14 deleting animals. These data suggest that the amino-terminal portion of the ORF protein (pORF) is required for a superantigen function, while our previous data indicated that determinants from the carboxy-terminus play an important role for TCR V beta specificity.

Identification of an endogenous mammary tumor virus involved in the clonal deletion of V beta 2 T cells

Expression of V beta (beta-chain variable region) gene segments was investigated in the Mus m. domesticus DDO strain, which possesses a large genomic deletion encompassing 20 of the 29 V beta gene segments known in BALB/c. Stainings using V beta-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed that up to 60% of the peripheral T cells use 3 V beta gene segments. Variable frequencies of V beta 2 T cells were observed among DDO individuals. Segregation analyses of F2 crosses between V beta 2-deletor mice and mammary tumor virus (Mtv)-free mice led to the identification of a new endogenous Mtv, named Mtv-DDO, mediating V beta 2 T cell clonal deletion. Mtv-DDO structure is conserved with the exception of the carboxy-terminal region as compared to other Mtv. Comparison between Mtv sharing the same V beta specificity and isolated from laboratory or wild mice confirms that a stretch of 11 amino acids, defined as the V beta-specific region, is required for the V beta-specific interaction. Limited substitutions in this region account for the shift of the Mtv specificity towards different V beta.

The use of baculoviruses as expression vectors

The use of recombinant baculoviruses as high level expression systems is becoming more and more popular. This review aims to provide a summary of the impact of this expression system in biochemistry and biotechnology, highlighting important advances that have been made utilizing the system. The potential of newly developed multiple baculovirus expression systems to enable the reconstruction of complex biological molecules and processes is also reviewed.

Production and characterization of an Mls-1-specific monoclonal antibody

Superantigens (SAGs) represent a new class of antigens, characterized as T cell receptor (TCR) V beta-reactive elements. Bacterial toxins constitute the major group of exogenous SAGs, while the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-encoded Mls molecules represent the endogenous SAGs. Mls-1 is the prototype of the latter SAGs, because it elicits a very potent T cell stimulatory response in vitro in unprimed T cells expressing the TCR V beta 6 or 8.1 chains. In vivo, Mls-1 causes deletion of immature T cells bearing the V beta 6, 7, 8.1, or 9 chains. Although Mls-1 was functionally discovered > 20 yr ago, it has not been possible to raise antibodies against this molecule. We have previously cloned and sequenced the Mtv-7 sag gene, which encodes Mls-1. Sequence comparisons with other MMTV sag genes suggested that the polymorphic 3' end encodes the TCR V beta specificity of these SAGs. We have, therefore, immunized hamsters with a 14-amino acid peptide from the deduced COOH-terminal sequence of the Mtv-7 sag gene. We describe here the production of a monoclonal antibody (mAb), 3B12, which is peptide specific and reacts with a recombinant baculovirus product of Mtv-7 sag. This mAb blocks Mls-1-specific T cell recognition and detects the Mls-1 protein on the surface of the B cell hybridoma LBB.A, but not on LBB.11, which is an Mtv-7 loss variant of LBB.A. Transfection of the Mtv-7 sag gene into LBB.11 renders this cell functionally Mls-1+ as well as positive for 3B12 binding, confirming the specificity of this mAb. It is well documented that B cells and CD8+ T cells express T cell stimulatory Mls-1 determinants, and we show here that this functional profile correlates with the expression of MMTV-specific mRNA. However, primary lymphocytes derived from Mls-1+ mice do not stain with 3B12, even after in vitro activation with mitogens or phorbol ester.

Inhibition of mouse mammary tumor virus-induced T cell responses in vivo by antibodies to an open reading frame protein

Minor lymphocyte stimulating (Mls) antigens specifically stimulate T cell responses that are restricted to particular T cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable domains. The Mls phenotype is genetically controlled by an open reading frame (orf) located in the 3' long terminal repeat of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV); however, the mechanism of action of the orf gene product is unknown. Whereas predicted orf amino acid sequences show strong overall homology, the 20-30 COOH-terminal residues are strikingly polymorphic. This polymorphic region correlates with TCR V beta specificity. We have generated monoclonal antibodies to a synthetic peptide encompassing the 19 COOH-terminal amino acid residues of Mtv-7 orf, which encodes the Mls-1a determinant. We show here that these antibodies block Mls responses in vitro and can interfere specifically with thymic clonal deletion of Mls-1a reactive V beta 6+ T cells in neonatal mice. Furthermore, the antibodies can inhibit V beta 6+ T cell responses in vivo to an infectious MMTV that shares orf sequence homology and TCR specificity with Mtv-7. These results confirm the predicted extracellular localization of the orf COOH terminus and imply that the orf proteins of both endogenous and exogenous MMTV interact directly with TCR V beta.

Detection and biochemical characterization of the mouse mammary tumor virus 7 superantigen (Mls-1a)

Mouse mammary tumor viruses encode superantigens that bind to class II major histocompatibility complex proteins and engage T cells that bear particular V beta s. Among these superantigens is the long known, but previously uncharacterized, Mls-1a product, encoded by Mtv-7. Using a monoclonal antibody, we detect the Mtv-7 superantigen on the surface of activated B cells, but not on T cells or resting B cells. The superantigen is synthesized as a 45 kd transmembrane glycoprotein precursor, but is proteolytically processed to yield an 18.5 kd surface protein that we suggest is the functional form of the superantigen.

An activation-dependent, T-lymphocyte-specific transcriptional activator in the mouse mammary tumor virus env gene

Transcription of the complete mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral genome in mouse cells is controlled by a strong promoter in its long terminal repeat. In the mouse T lymphoma EL4, there is a second, activation-dependent transcriptional initiation site within the envelope (env) gene, from which a short mRNA is generated, encoding the open reading frame of the long terminal repeat. We now report the isolation of a segment of the MMTV env gene (called META, for MMTV env transcriptional activator) which has the expected transcription-activating properties seen in EL4.E1 cells. Namely, it induces activation-dependent, T-lymphocyte-specific transcription of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. It is active in mouse or human T-helper lymphocyte lines when they are stimulated to transcribe lymphokine genes but is inactive in unstimulated T-helper cells, fibroblasts, a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte line, and a mastocytoma cell line. Its activity is inhibited by cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of lymphokine transcription. Several forms of the META have been isolated from EL4.E1 cells, a mouse T-helper cell hybridoma, and from BALB/c spleen cells. Linked to the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter, a 400-bp portion of it is an inducible, orientation-independent, and cyclosporin A-sensitive transcriptional activator in T-helper cells.

An activation-dependent, T-lymphocyte-specific transcriptional activator in the mouse mammary tumor virus env gene

Transcription of the complete mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral genome in mouse cells is controlled by a strong promoter in its long terminal repeat. In the mouse T lymphoma EL4, there is a second, activation-dependent transcriptional initiation site within the envelope (env) gene, from which a short mRNA is generated, encoding the open reading frame of the long terminal repeat. We now report the isolation of a segment of the MMTV env gene (called META, for MMTV env transcriptional activator) which has the expected transcription-activating properties seen in EL4.E1 cells. Namely, it induces activation-dependent, T-lymphocyte-specific transcription of a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. It is active in mouse or human T-helper lymphocyte lines when they are stimulated to transcribe lymphokine genes but is inactive in unstimulated T-helper cells, fibroblasts, a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte line, and a mastocytoma cell line. Its activity is inhibited by cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of lymphokine transcription. Several forms of the META have been isolated from EL4.E1 cells, a mouse T-helper cell hybridoma, and from BALB/c spleen cells. Linked to the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter, a 400-bp portion of it is an inducible, orientation-independent, and cyclosporin A-sensitive transcriptional activator in T-helper cells.

Mls-1 is encoded by the long terminal repeat open reading frame of the mouse mammary tumor provirus Mtv-7

The murine Mls-1 antigen is the prototype of endogenous superantigens, molecules whose activities lead to deletion of T cells expressing certain T-cell receptor V beta genes from the mature repertoire. However, Mls-1 also stimulates T cells expressing these particular V beta genes (V beta 6, V beta 7, V beta 8.1, and V beta 9) in vitro, making it one of the strongest known T-cell activators. We have recently reported that the Mls-1 gene is closely linked to the endogenous mammary tumor virus Mtv-7. We now demonstrate that Mls-1 is encoded by the open reading frame in the U3 region of the long terminal repeat of Mtv-7. However, control of expression of this molecule seems complex, depending on the promoter used for the transfection experiments. The sequence of the Mtv-7 open reading frame differs from all other known mammary tumor virus open reading frame sequences in the 3' end, suggesting that the T-cell receptor V beta specificity is conferred by the C terminus of the molecule. The predicted structure of the protein encoded by the open reading frame is consistent with a type II transmembrane molecule where the C terminus is extracellular.

Factors controlling the expression of mouse mammary tumour virus

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Molecular characterization of Mls-1

Recently a series of endogenous and exogenous superantigens have been described which have one common feature, namely, they lead to in vivo deletion and in vitro stimulation of T cells expressing particular T cell receptor V beta genes. The Mls antigens represent the prototypes of these molecules. We have mapped Mls-1 to the endogenous mammary tumor virus (MMTV) Mtv-7, while other SAG have also been associated with various MMTV. The open reading frame gene of the MMTV encodes the SAG. Thus, the new terminology MMTV sag has been proposed for this gene. Transfection experiments suggest that the expression of MMTV sag is tightly controlled, probably by a negative acting factor encoded within the open reading frame. Furthermore, a pronounced IL-4 effect is seen in the functional detection of the transfected Mtv-7 sag. Since this lymphokine does not influence the mRNA level of the endogenous or transfected MMTV genes, it is likely that it exerts its effect by increasing transcription of MHC class II genes, whose products are required for functional detection of Mls. We have identified one mouse strain, MA/MyJ, which has an Mls-1 phenotype but does not contain Mtv-7. The SAG activity of this strain was mapped to a new mammary tumor provirus, Mtv-43, not seen in other inbred strains. Sequence analyses revealed that the predicted amino acid sequences of the Mtv-7 and the Mtv-43 sag genes are very similar. This is particularly striking in the C-terminus, where all other MMTV sag sequences differ 100%. Thus, this region of the molecule seems to control the V beta specificity of SAG molecules. It is likely that the SAG expression provides an advantage for the infectious MMTV, probably by facilitating its transmission by T cells from the site of primary residence in the gut to its final destination, the mammary glands.

Expression of the mouse mammary tumor virus ORF gene in cultured cells

We have recently shown that expression vectors harboring the open reading frame of the long terminal repeat region of mouse mammary tumor virus direct the synthesis of a product which acts as a superantigen in transgenic mice. The detection of the ORF protein has been hampered by the extremely low levels of expression observed in these mice, as estimated from the low levels of specific mRNA. To study the properties of the ORF protein, we attempted its expression in different cell types in culture. The experiments performed in yeast show that the ORF gene product is a glycoprotein of approximately 45 kDA. As expected from the derived primary sequence, the unglycosylated product made in the presence of tunicamycin has a molecular weight of 36 kDA. No secretion of the glycosylated protein was observed. Curiously, the full-length molecule was made in lower amounts than a truncated version which contains only the C-terminal half of the protein. Transfection experiments in different mammalian cells suggest that high expression of the ORF protein might have an adverse effect on survival of cells in culture.