XMRV is able to downregulate A3G

Quantitative analysis processes have been used to gain insight into the processes of a virus.

Published in the Virology Journal, a team from the USA sought to investigate Xenotropic murine leukaemia virus (MLV)-related virus (XMRV), which is a gammaretrovirus discovered in prostate cancer tissues.

The scientists hypothesised that XMRV is a laboratory contaminant and may have originated via a rare recombination event, but suggested that APOBEC3G (A3G) could restrict its replication.

Using western blot and mass spectrometry, the team proved that there is a downregulation of A3G in XMRV infected LNCaP and DU145 cells.

The results also show that XMRV produced from A3G expressing LNCaP cells can infect and replicate in target cells.

In conclusion, the team suggested that as A3G is a restricter, XMRV is able to replicate efficiently by downregulating its expression.

"Given that XMRV lacks accessory proteins such as HIV-1 Vif that are known to counteract A3G function in human cells, our data suggest a novel mechanism by which retroviruses can counteract the antiviral effects of A3G proteins," they explained.

Posted by Neil Clark