Mouse PML protein isoforms and their role in Mouse Polyomavirus infection

Abstract

Promyelocytic leukaemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs) are dynamic, spherical, membrane-less structures composed of the main scaffold PML protein and a variety of stable or transient partner proteins. Apart from many endogenous functions, PML NBs play an important role in antiviral defence, both as direct restriction factors and regulators of the interferon responses. Hence, many viruses developed effective mechanisms to counteract this restriction. This project uses Mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) as a model for studying interactions of PML and viral components. The mouse PML (mPML) protein occurs in three confirmed (mPML1-3) and six predicted (mPMLX1-X6) isoforms. Individual isoforms may affect the composition and functions of PML NBs and mediate antiviral effects.