Project description:By unbiased deep sequencing, we identified a novel, highly divergent polyomavirus, provisionally named MX polyomavirus (MXPyV), in stool samples from children. From Mexico, 12 samples (out of 96) were positive for MxPyV by MXPyV-specific PCR. We used the ViroChip microarray and PCR to screen these 12 samples for co-infection with common diarrheal viruses. Six of 12 MxPyV-positive diarrheal samples tested negative by the ViroChip and PCR, and the other 6 samples were positive for at least one known diarrheal virus. The ViroChip microarray (version 5.0, Viro5AG-60K platform, GPL15905) was used to screen RNA extracts from MX polyomavirus (MXPyV)-positive pediatric diarrheal samples from Mexico for common diarrheal viruses.
Project description:By unbiased deep sequencing, we identified a novel, highly divergent polyomavirus, provisionally named MX polyomavirus (MXPyV), in stool samples from children. From Mexico, 12 samples (out of 96) were positive for MxPyV by MXPyV-specific PCR. We used the ViroChip microarray and PCR to screen these 12 samples for co-infection with common diarrheal viruses. Six of 12 MxPyV-positive diarrheal samples tested negative by the ViroChip and PCR, and the other 6 samples were positive for at least one known diarrheal virus.
Project description:Merkel Cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer often driven by Merkel cell polyomavirus T antigens. The epigenomic mechanisms driving MCC are poorly understood. We show that virus positive MCC (VP-MCC) super enhancer networks are committed to and controlled by lineage-specific neuroendocrine transcription factors (TFs) including LHX3, ISL1, ATOH1, INSM1, SOX2 and POU4F3. These VP-MCC TFs are central to core regulatory (CR) transcriptional circuitry, essential for growth, and co-bind enhancers with polyomavirus small T antigen. We establish that T antigen expression is directly regulated by LHX3 and ISL1, establishing a positive feedback autoregulatory circuitry for a neuroendocrine state.
Project description:The recently discovered polyomavirus HPyV7 is emerging as a cause for intensely itchy skin eruptions in immunocompromised hosts. We performed an in-depth investigation of a renal transplant recipient with HPyV7-associated eruption that resolved with reduction of immunosuppression and treatment with acitretin. RNA sequencing of diseased skin revealed a strong interferon response that decreased upon clinical resolution, correlating with cessation of viral protein expression and seroconversion for HPyV7-specific antibodies. Sequencing of HPyV7 revealed a mutagenic hotspot within a previously undetected agnoprotein gene. The cytosine deaminases APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B were significantly upregulated in affected skin, and the observed viral sequence modifications were consistent with APOBEC activity, suggesting that it may play a role in viral evolution in diseased skin. Through this multi-omic approach, we confirm a pathogenic role for HPyV7, identify signature components of the host response, and highlight the complex interplay between the skin immune microenvironment and viral mutagenesis.
Project description:JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) established a persistent infection, but BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) killed the cells in 15 days. To identify the cellular factors responsible for controlling JCPyV infection and promoting viral persistence, we profiled the transcriptomes of JCPyV- and BKPyV-infected cells at several time points postinfection. We found that interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were only activated in the JCPyV and not in the BKPyV-infected cells.