Volume 18, Issue 1 (Spring 2026)
2026, 18(1): 34-42 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.A.REC.1403.031
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Pakdel T, Kargar M, Farhadi A, Hossein Aghdaei M, Kohan L. Evaluation of the Effect of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus sT Gene Expression on the Expression Level of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Cervix Infected with High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Type 16: Implications for Metastasis. North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences 2026; 18 (1) :34-42
URL: http://journal.nkums.ac.ir/article-1-3348-en.html
URL: http://journal.nkums.ac.ir/article-1-3348-en.html
1- Department of Microbiology, College of Science, Agriculture and Modern Technology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
2- Department of Biology, Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
3- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5- Department of Biology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
2- Department of Biology, Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
3- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5- Department of Biology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
Abstract: (27 Views)
Introduction: Co-infection of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) with human polyomaviruses, such as Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), may indicate a potential synergistic effect. This study focused on the role of the MCPyV sT protein, which shares similarities with HPV oncoproteins in disrupting cellular regulatory mechanisms. This research aimed to investigate the effect of the MCPyV sT oncogene on the expression level of the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) gene, as a biomarker for metastasis, in Ca Ski cells infected with HPV-16.
Methods: The MCPyV sT gene was cloned into the PUC57 vector. The gene was amplified by PCR and subcloned into the PCMV6 expression vector. Colony PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, and Sanger sequencing were performed to confirm the constructed vector. The PCMV6-sT vector was then transfected into Ca Ski cells. Transfection efficiency was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression level of sT mRNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR after transfection. The effect of MCPyV sT expression on MMP-1 expression was assessed using RT-PCR.
Results: High expression of the sT gene was observed in cells transfected with the PCMV6-sT plasmid. Transfection of PCMV6-sT into HPV-16–infected cells resulted in a significant increase in MMP-1 gene expression at 48 (P<0.05) and 72 hours (P<0.01) post-transfection, compared to the control and mock groups.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that MCPyV sT increases MMP-1 expression, a marker strongly associated with invasion and metastasis. This highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between oncoproteins of different viruses in cancer cells.
Methods: The MCPyV sT gene was cloned into the PUC57 vector. The gene was amplified by PCR and subcloned into the PCMV6 expression vector. Colony PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, and Sanger sequencing were performed to confirm the constructed vector. The PCMV6-sT vector was then transfected into Ca Ski cells. Transfection efficiency was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression level of sT mRNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR after transfection. The effect of MCPyV sT expression on MMP-1 expression was assessed using RT-PCR.
Results: High expression of the sT gene was observed in cells transfected with the PCMV6-sT plasmid. Transfection of PCMV6-sT into HPV-16–infected cells resulted in a significant increase in MMP-1 gene expression at 48 (P<0.05) and 72 hours (P<0.01) post-transfection, compared to the control and mock groups.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that MCPyV sT increases MMP-1 expression, a marker strongly associated with invasion and metastasis. This highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between oncoproteins of different viruses in cancer cells.
Type of Study: Orginal Research |
Subject:
Basic Sciences
Received: 2025/06/12 | Accepted: 2025/11/23 | Published: 2026/03/29
Received: 2025/06/12 | Accepted: 2025/11/23 | Published: 2026/03/29
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