Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
INVOLVEMENT OF HUMAN RETROVIRUS IN SPECIFIC T-CELL LEUKEMIA
Development and Recognition of the Transformed Cell. Greene MI, Hamaoka T, eds. New York, Plenum, p. 187-202, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/88647669 Yoshida M; Seiki M; Fujisawa J; Inoue J; Dept. of Viral Oncology, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Res.,; Tokyo 170, Japan
Abstract:
Animal retroviruses have provided very useful systems for studies on the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the first human retrovirus to be well characterized, was shown to be associated with a specific human malignancy, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Therefore, HTLV-1 provides a useful system to define features of molecular mechanisms of human tumorigenesis. Since HTLV-1 was shown to be the etiological agent of the specific T-cell malignancy, ATL, these studies may lead to the development of methods for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of ATL. The authors' studies on molecular aspects of HTLV-1 gene expression and its association with ATL, and the possible mechanisms of development of ATL are discussed under the following section headings: genomic structure of HTLV-1, etiological agent of leukemogenesis, trans-acting viral function for leukemogenesis, three proteins encoded by the pX sequence, mechanism of pX gene expression, trans-activation of the long terminal repeat (LTR) mediated by pX, the p40x as trans-activator of the LTR, elements responsible for the trans-activation, and possible involvement of pX function in leukemogenesis. Studies on HTLV-1 over the last 5 yr have established the following facts: (1) The HTLV-1 genome consists of LTR-gag-pol-env-pX-LTR. (2) HTLV-1 is an exogenous virus for humans and a member of the so-called HTLV family. (3) All ATL patients have antibodies against HTLV-1 proteins and a certain subpopulation of healthy adults living in the endemic area also possess antibodies. (4) Antibody-positive individuals are HTLV-1 carriers. (5) Virus infection shows familial aggregation and the modes of transmission seem to require transfers of live T lymphocytes from infected individuals to recipients. (6) Virus infection in vitro by cocultivation with virus-producing cells frequently immortalizes T cells. (55 Refs)
Keywords: Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cloning, Molecular DNA, Viral/GENETICS Gene Amplification *Gene Expression Regulation Human HTLV-BLV Infections/*GENETICS HTLV-BLV Viruses/*GENETICS Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid Transcription Factors/GENETICS MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
