Target Site Preferences of Subgroup C Rous Sarcoma Virus Integration into the Chicken DNA

We sequenced unselected integration sites of subgroup C Rous sarcoma virus from infected chicken cells and mapped them on the chicken draft genome assembly. Our genome-wide analysis demonstrates the non-random character of subgroup C Rous sarcoma virus integration into genes, gene-rich regions and GC-rich regions. Within genes, there is no significant integration bias in favor of transcription start sites. Integration sites are underrepresented on microchromosomes. These results may be important for the development of gene transfer vectors and gene therapy strategies based on avian sarcoma and leukosis viruses.