Abstract
The physical and biological state of the Marek's disease virus (MDV) genome in avian leukosis virus (ALV)-transformed cells is characterized using cell lines established from ALV tumours co-infected with the SB-1 strain of MDV. The MDV genome within the ALV-transformed cells was found to be methylated at 5' CpG 3' dinucleotides. Less than 2% of the tumour cells expressed MDV antigen and only one virus plaque that was characteristic of an MDV infection was noted when tumour cells were cocultured with fibroblasts permissive for a productive MDV infection. However, when methylation of the MDV genome was prevented by culturing the tumour cell lines in the presence of 5-azacytidine, both MDV antigen expression and viral replication increased. Based on these results, it appears that MDV resides within the ALV-transformed cells in a latent state and that MDV latency might be influenced, to some extent, by methylation of the MDV genome.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
