ARS | Publication request: The Transactivation Domain of Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) Meq Oncoprotein Does Not Affect Tumor Incidence But Plays a Role in Tumor Phenotype

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2010
Publication Date: October 18, 2010
Citation: Lupiani, B., Ajithdoss, D., Lee, L.F., Reddy, S. 2010. The transactivation domain of Marek's disease virus (MDV) Meq oncoprotein does not affect tumor incidence but plays a role in tumor phenotype [abstract]. In: 5th International Workshop on the Molecular Pathogenesis of Marek’s Disease Virus and 1st Symposium on Avian Herpesviruses, October 17-20, 2010, Athens, Georgia, p. 33.

Technical Abstract: Marek’s disease virus encoded oncoprotein, Meq, is responsible for the tumorigenic phenotype of the virus. We have previously shown that replacement of the meq gene in the very virulent strain Md5 with that of vaccine strain CVI988/Rispens results in virus attenuation in chickens. To determine the role of individual meq domains in this attenuated phenotype, we generated a mutant rMd5 virus in which the meq gene contained the DNA binding domain from Md5 and transactivation domain from CVI988 (rMd5-Md5/CVI-Meq). rMd5-Md5/CVI-Meq replicated in vitro to levels similar to parental rMd5 virus. In vivo, rMd5-Md5/CVI-Meq induced tumors in 100% of the chickens inoculated indicating that the transactivation domain of CVI988 does not affect tumor incidence. Interestingly, rMd5-Md5/CVI-Meq induced a significantly higher number of visceral tumors that were larger in size.