Identification of a transformation-sensitive nuclear protein from normal human fibroblasts that specifically interacts with minute virus of mice DNA and correlates with cell resistance to the parvovirus.

Normal human fibroblasts (MRC-5, KMS-6) were compared to transformed derivatives induced by SV40 (MRC-5V1) or gamma rays (KMST-6) for the expression of nuclear proteins that interact with the genome of minute virus of mice (MVMp), using the southwestern blot technique. A protein of 100-104 kDa apparent molecular weight was found to form a specific complex with MVMp DNA and to have an especially high affinity for the 3' terminal portion of the viral genome. This protein (p102) was differentially expressed by normal and transformed cells, i.e., its availability or DNA binding activity (or both) was much reduced in the transformants. A high level of p102 cosegregated with resistance to MVMp in cell hybrids between normal human and transformed mouse fibroblasts. Taken altogether these data suggest that the p102 protein may be a candidate for a transformation-sensitive cellular marker and for a negative regulator of parvovirus replication.