Characterization of the replication-competent porcine endogenous retrovirus class B molecular clone originated from Korean domestic pig.

Xenotransplantation from pigs offers an opportunity to resolve the shortage of human organs. The porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) cannot be eliminated because of its presence in the germline DNA. Three subgroups of the replication-competent PERV (PERV-A, PERV-B, and PERV-C) have been identified in pigs. We constructed a molecular clone of PERV-B from a Korean domestic pig BAC clone containing PERV genomes, and its replication competency was characterized in human cells. The pol region of PERV-B was detected in the genomic DNA of 293T cells transfected with PERV-B (465D1) and in the genomic DNA of 293T cells infected with PERV-B (465D1) viruses. The 293T cells transfected with PERV-B (465D1) were maintained for 140 days. PERV-B (465D1) showed the stationary replication competence with no toxicity in the cell growth.