Dynamics of host response to Merkel cell polyomavirus oncogenes

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) small tumor antigen (ST), truncated large tumor antigen (TLT), early region (ER), and GFP control inducible vectors were introduced into IMR90 human lung embryonic fibrobrasts. After induction, cells were extracted and sequenced in triplicate every 4 hours for the first 24 hours, then every 8 hours until 48 hours. The purpose of this experiment was to identify the dynamic host response to MCPyV oncogenes, using both differential expression analysis and transcriptional network reconstruction, and to provide a systems-level understanding of the initial steps toward Merkel cell carcinoma. Overall design: Expression of MCPyV ER, TLT, ST or GFP was induced in IMR90 fibroblasts, and triplicate RNA samples were extracted and sequenced over 10 timepoints within 48 hours