Detection of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) DNA and Transcripts in Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the etiological agent of majority carcinoma (MCC): a rare skin tumor. To improve our understanding role MCPyV in MCCs, detection and analysis DNA transcripts were performed on primary tumors regional lymph nodes from two MCC patients: one metastatic non-metastatic. MCPyV-DNA was searched by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), followed amplification Large T Antigen (LTAg), Viral Protein 1 (VP1) Non-Coding Control Region (NCCR). LTAg VP1 investigated reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). integration also studied, full-length sequencing performed. qPCR revealed that tumor both patients node patient positive for small t-antigen, with an average value 7.0 × 102 copies/µg. The same samples harbored LTAg, NCCR DNA. Sequencing results showed truncated conserved retinoblastoma (Rb) protein binding motif sequences identical to MCC350 strain. RT-PCR detected but not transcripts. genome integrated into patients. confirmed connection between MCC, assuming integration, truncation Rb sequestration as key players MCPyV-mediated oncogenesis.