Mechanisms of cell transformation by Herpesvirus saimiri

Herpesvirus saimiri is a virus capable of inducing oncogenic transformation of T lymphocytes of New World primates and immortalizing human T cells in vitro. T lymphocytes immortalized by H. saimiri demonstrate functional biological responses to their antigens. Therefore, H saimiri-induced transformation of T cells emerges as a very powerful tool of T-cell biology. The mechanism of this transformation remains to be elucidated. However, it is apparent that H. saimiri proteins Tip and StpC are crucial for T-cell transformation. Potential mechanisms mediating the effects of Tip and StpC, as well as the possible role of other H. saimiri proteins, are discussed in this review.