Bovine Meat and Milk Factors

Bovine Meat and Milk Factors (BMMFs) are circular, single-stranded DNA molecules (cssDNAs) originally found in beef and cow's milk which have been linked to the development of cancer—particularly colorectal and breast cancer.[1] They are formerly known as Slow Progressive Hidden INfections of variable X (SPHINX). Similar molecules have since been found in a much wider range of food.[2]

BMMF/SPHINX sequences are able to copy themselves in animal cells. They encode functional proteins that are expressed in some animal cells. Every BMMF/SPHINX contains at least a "Rep" open reading frame, which encodes a replication endonuclease that, in HEK 239TT cells, acts to replicate and retain the cssDNA.[3]

BMMF/SPHINX sequences are divided into four clades. Clades 1, 2, and 3 share sequence similarity with the plasmids of Acinetobacter baumannii. (A. baumanii regularly produces outer membrane vesicles containing these plamids, and animal cells are known to take up these vesicles.) Clade 4 shares sequence similarity with Gemycircularvirus.[3]

Health research

The potential connection between BMMFs and cancer has been made based on assessments of epidemiological data[4][5][6] and the investigation of antibodies in human serum.[7][8] Research has also suggested a potential link between BMMFs and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.[7]

At the end of 2017, evidence was presented that BMMFs in human cells show long-term survival, through the identification of BMMFs' RNA and protein products.[7][9] In February 2019, evidence was presented of a previously unknown infectious agent in the blood serum and milk of Eurasian cattle that could indirectly trigger the development of colorectal cancer.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Episomal-Persistent DNA in Cancer- and Chronic Diseases". Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  2. ^ Pohl, Sina; Habermann, Diana; Link, Ellen K.; Fux, Robert; Boldt, Christine L.; Franz, Charles M.A.P.; Hölzel, Christina; Klempt, Martin (May 2022). "Detection of DNA sequences attributed to bovine meat and milk factors (BMMF/SPHINX) in food-related samples". Food Control. 135: 108779. doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108779.
  3. ^ a b Dhurve, G; Behera, SR; Kodetham, G; Siddavattam, D (3 September 2024). "Outer membrane vesicles of Acinetobacter baumannii DS002 carry circular DNA similar to bovine meat and milk factors (BMMFs) and SPHINX 2.36 and probably play a role in interdomain lateral gene transfer". Microbiology Spectrum. 12 (9): e0081724. doi:10.1128/spectrum.00817-24. PMC 11370262. PMID 39101807.
  4. ^ Hausen, Harald zur; Villiers, Ethel-Michele de (2015). "Dairy cattle serum and milk factors contributing to the risk of colon and breast cancers". International Journal of Cancer. 137 (4): 959–67. doi:10.1002/ijc.29466. ISSN 1097-0215. PMID 25648405. S2CID 34785153.
  5. ^ a b Hausen, Harald zur; Bund, Timo; Villiers, Ethel-Michele de (2019). "Specific nutritional infections early in life as risk factors for human colon and breast cancers several decades later". International Journal of Cancer. 144 (7): 1574–1583. doi:10.1002/ijc.31882. ISSN 1097-0215. PMID 30246328. S2CID 52348195.
  6. ^ Däuble, Wolfgang. "Nobelpreisträger zur Hausen: Warum haben Inder so selten Darmkrebs?" [Nobel laureate zur Hausen: Why do Indians so rarely have colon cancer?]. FAZ.NET (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  7. ^ a b c Eilebrecht, Sebastian; Hotz-Wagenblatt, Agnes; Sarachaga, Victor; Burk, Amelie; Falida, Konstantina; Chakraborty, Deblina; Nikitina, Ekaterina; Tessmer, Claudia; Whitley, Corinna; Sauerland, Charlotte; Gunst, Karin (2018-02-12). "Expression and replication of virus-like circular DNA in human cells". Scientific Reports. 8 (1): 2851. Bibcode:2018NatSR...8.2851E. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21317-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 5809378. PMID 29434270.
  8. ^ "Erhöhtes Krebsrisiko durch Kuhmilch und Rindfleisch?" [Increased cancer risk from cow's milk and beef?]. AerzteZeitung.de (in German). 23 October 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  9. ^ "Episomal-Persistierende DNA in Krebs- und chronischen Erkrankungen". Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum. Retrieved 2021-03-03.

Further reading