Transgenic expression of walleye dermal sarcoma virus rv-cyclin (orfA) in zebrafish does not result in tissue proliferation

Mar Biotechnol (NY). 2011 Apr;13(2):142-50. doi: 10.1007/s10126-010-9274-2. Epub 2010 Mar 28.

Abstract

Walleye dermal sarcoma (WDS) is a benign tumor of walleye fish that develops and completely regresses seasonally. The retrovirus associated with this disease, walleye dermal sarcoma virus, encodes three accessory genes, two of which, rv-cyclin (orfA) and orfb, are thought to play a role in tumor development. In this study, we attempted to recapitulate WDS development by expressing rv-cyclin in chimeric and stable transgenic zebrafish. Six stable transgenic lines expressing rv-cyclin from the constitutive CMVtk promoter were generated. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction demonstrate that rv-cyclin is widely expressed in different tissues in these fish. These lines were viable and histologically normal for up to 2 years. No increase in tumors or tissue proliferation was observed following N-ethyl N-nitrosourea exposure or following tail wounding and subsequent tissue regeneration compared to controls. These data indicate that rv-cyclin is not independently sufficient for tumor induction in zebrafish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified / metabolism*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epsilonretrovirus / genetics*
  • Fish Diseases / metabolism*
  • Fish Diseases / pathology
  • Fish Diseases / virology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genes, Viral
  • Regeneration / genetics
  • Sarcoma / metabolism
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / veterinary*
  • Sarcoma / virology
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Skin Neoplasms / virology
  • Tail / injuries
  • Tail / metabolism
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism

Substances

  • Viral Proteins