Walleye dermal sarcoma virus Orf C: a potential oncolytic therapy

The taxonomy and nomenclature of the North American weevil genus Thecesternus Say was reviewed. Five previously described species are recognized as valid: affinis, foveolatus, hirsutus, humeralis, and maculosus. One new species, tumulosus, from Texas is described as new. The following new synonymy is proposed: longior LeConte 1856 (= affinis LeConte 1856) and albidus Pierce 1909 (= maculosus Pierce 1909). A neotype is designated for T. humeralis (Say). A key to identify the species is provided, with various illustrations of key morphological features characterizing these species. Additionally, distribution maps, species descriptions, and species differentiation for each species is provided. A cladistic hypothesis of the included species is presented. Walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV) is a complex retrovirus that causes the growth of multifocal, cutaneous tumors in walleye fish (Sander vitreus vitreus). These virus-induced tumors spontaneously regress on a seasonal basis. The WDSV genome encodes three accessory proteins (rv-cyclin, Orf B, and Orf C) that are necessary for regulation of virus expression, tumor formation, and tumor regression. While rv-cyclin and B are critical for tumor development, Orf C contributes to the observed seasonal tumor regression. Previous studies have shown that Orf C targets the cell mitochondria and induces apoptosis. These studies suggest that Orf C-induced apoptosis leads to the observed tumor regression in fish infected with WDSV. To further define the mechanism(s) of apoptosis, we generated a recombinant lentivirus (Lenti Orf C) that expresses WDSV Orf C. By infecting cells with Lenti Orf C, we showed decreasing cell viability in association with increasing virus concentrations. We also demonstrated Orf C expression in mitochondrial, cytosolic, and nuclear cell fractions, with the strongest Orf C expression in cell nuclei. In addition, we identified two pro-apoptotic proteins that associate with Orf C, ANT and Bax, and identified a third protein, AIF, as a potential Orf C target. While significant progress has been made in elucidating the mechanism(s) of Orf C-induced apoptosis, further studies are necessary to determine which cellular proteins are the primary targets of Orf C. These apoptosis-inducing Orf C targets may be useful in developing future oncolytic therapies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Authors dc:creator

• Magden, Elizabeth, author
• Quackenbush, Sandra, advisor
• VandeWoude, Sue, committee member
• Biller, Barbara, committee member

• dermal sarcoma
• WDSV
• walleye
• Orf C
• oncolytic

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018344

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/48116