Transcription of bovine milk and meat factors (BMMFs) in HEK293TT cells

We analyze the transcription of these bovine milk and meat factors (BMMFs) and MS isolates in human HEK293TT cells. While all analyzed DNA agents are readily transcribed, one of the MS brain isolates (MSBI1.176), sharing homology with a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)-associated DNA molecule, is transcribed at highest levels. Our results support the transcription of an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a replication-associated protein, which is highly conserved among all isolated BMMFs. In the case of the cow milk isolate CMI1.252, transcription also occurs in a second large ORF. Transcriptome profiling upon BMMF expression identified host cellular gene expression changes related to cell cycle progression and cell viability control, indicating potential pathways for a pathogenic involvement of BMMFs. The BMMFs CMI1.252, CMI3.168, MSBI1.176 and MSBI2.176 were transfected into HEK293TT cells. RNA-Seq was performed in triplicates per isolate at day 3 post transfection