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Mouse mammary tumor virus molecular biology and oncogenesis

Susan R Ross1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Viruses
|January 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) causes mammary tumors in mice by integrating its genetic material into host cells. This retrovirus serves as a vital animal model for studying human breast cancer and identifying oncogenes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is an infectious, milk-transmitted retrovirus discovered in the 1930s.
  • MMTV is utilized as an animal model for human breast cancer research.
  • MMTV encodes accessory proteins influencing infection and host immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms of MMTV-induced mammary tumor formation.
  • To explore the role of MMTV accessory proteins in viral infection and immune modulation.
  • To identify oncogenes associated with MMTV integration in the host genome.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo studies of MMTV infection in mice.
  • Analysis of MMTV integration sites within the mammary epithelial cell genome.
  • Characterization of MMTV accessory proteins and their functions.

Main Results:

  • MMTV predominantly infects lymphocytes and mammary epithelial cells.
  • Proviral integration during replication activates cellular oncogenes, leading to mammary tumors.
  • MMTV integration site analysis has identified several key oncogenes.

Conclusions:

  • Mammary tumor induction by MMTV is a consequence of its viral replication cycle.
  • MMTV serves as a valuable model for discovering oncogenes relevant to human breast cancer.
  • Understanding MMTV's mechanisms can provide insights into human breast cancer development.
Keywords:
CISbreast cancerintrinsic immunitymilk-borne virussuperantigen

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