Figure 1. JCV_CPN replicates viral DNA, but at lower levels than JCV_Mad-1.

(A) JCV_CPN RR is archetype-like (adapted from (17)). (B) JCV_CPN1.2 (hereafter referred to as simply JCV_CPN) agnogene contains a 143 base pair deletion followed by a 75 base pair duplication at the beginning of the VP2 gene. (C–H) Cos-7, SVG and IMR-32 cells were transfected with linearized JCV genomes, or mock transfected. Cells were subcultured every 3–4 days and cell and supernatant samples were collected. DNA was extracted from the samples, digested with DpnI to remove input plasmid DNA, and analyzed by QPCR. Data represents the average of 4–10 independent experiments. In Cos-7 cell lysate (C) and supernatant (D) JCV_Mad-1 but not JCV_CPN establishes a persistent infection. In SVG cell lysate (E) and supernatant (F) JCV_Mad-1 and JCV_CPN both establish persistent infections. In IMR-32 cells, JCV_Mad-1 infection persists for 21 days, while JCV_CPN becomes undetectable in cell lysate (G) and in supernatant (H). Error bars represent standard deviation. P-values were calculated using the Wilcoxon Rank Test. ND is not detected.