Skip to Content
Merck

Clonal integration of a polyomavirus in human Merkel cell carcinoma.

Science (New York, N.Y.) (2008-01-19)
Huichen Feng, Masahiro Shuda, Yuan Chang, Patrick S Moore
ABSTRACT

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive human skin cancer that typically affects elderly and immunosuppressed individuals, a feature suggestive of an infectious origin. We studied MCC samples by digital transcriptome subtraction and detected a fusion transcript between a previously undescribed virus T antigen and a human receptor tyrosine phosphatase. Further investigation led to identification and sequence analysis of the 5387-base-pair genome of a previously unknown polyomavirus that we call Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV or MCPyV). MCV sequences were detected in 8 of 10 (80%) MCC tumors but only 5 of 59 (8%) control tissues from various body sites and 4 of 25 (16%) control skin tissues. In six of eight MCV-positive MCCs, viral DNA was integrated within the tumor genome in a clonal pattern, suggesting that MCV infection and integration preceded clonal expansion of the tumor cells. Thus, MCV may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of MCC.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

MS-1 cell line, NOTE: Both the cell line and DNA from the cell line may be available for this product. Please choose -1VL or VIAL for cells, or -DNA-5UG for DNA, 09111802, human skin, mesothelioma. Loose aggregates with irregular outline, no central necrosis.
MKL-1, NOTE: Both the cell line and DNA from the cell line may be available for this product. Please choose -1VL or VIAL for cells, or -DNA-5UG for DNA, 09111801, human skin. Loose floating aggregates with irregular outline and no central necrosis.