Molecular biology of human polyomaviruses

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

During FY21, we developed bioinformatics approaches to discovering divergent new families of viruses in our deep sequencing datasets. The work led to the deposit of several thousand highly diverse previously virus species into public databases. The work attracted media attention. In a parallel set of studies, we discovered three previously unrecognized families of animal viruses. We have suggested the names adomavirus, adintovirus, and xenomavirus. The names denote the distant relationships of the new families to known families, including adenoviruses, parvoviruses, and retroviruses. These lines of investigation are presently in press or under peer review. A related study involving the molecular biology of the virion proteins of a new group of arachnid-associated polyomaviruses we discovered promises to draw further evolutionary ties between multiple families of non-enveloped animal DNA viruses. We have been collaborating with NIH Clinical Center colleagues to investigate cases of human polyomavirus 7 (HPyV7) associated pruritic rashes. The project led to the discovery of a previously unknown HPyV7 protein that we dub Agnoprotein. We are testing the hypothesis that Agnoprotein is involved in assembly of the HPyV7 and we are exploring the possibility that the protein directly triggers receptors involved in itch perception. A related project seeks to develop recombinant HPyV7-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that could be used for treatment of HPyV7 pruritis. In collaboration with colleagues at NCI DCEG, we have performed deep sequencing of bladder cancers affecting organ transplant recipients, who are known to be at increased risk of developing bladder cancer. The work shows that bladder cancers from immunosuppressed individuals often harbor polyomaviruses or papillomaviruses. The results suggest a possible causal role for these viruses and raise the possibility that the vaccine we are developing against BK and JC polyomaviruses might prevent bladder cancer.