MCPyV targets NDRG1 to promote cellular proliferation. MCPyV targets NDRG1 to promote cellular proliferation

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is the first human polyomavirus etiologically associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. Similar to other polyomaviruses, MCPyV encodes early T antigen genes, a viral oncogene required for MCC tumor growth. To identify the unique oncogenic properties of MCPyV, we analysed the gene expression profiles in human spontaneously immortalized keratinocytes (NIKs) expressing the early genes from five distinct human polyomaviruses (PyVs), including MCPyV. A comparison of the gene expression profiles revealed 28 genes specifically deregulated by MCPyV. Overall design: Comparative analyses of deregulated cellular gene expression mediated by the 6 PyVs