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Retroviral oncogenes: a historical primer

Peter K Vogt1

  • 1The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. pkvogt@scripps.edu

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|August 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Retroviruses, the origin of oncogenes, were studied using advanced molecular techniques. Key features of these cancer-driving genes were first identified in the Rous sarcoma virus src oncogene.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Virology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Retroviruses are the original source of oncogenes, critical genes implicated in cancer development.
  • The study of tumor viruses benefited significantly from quantitative cell biological and molecular techniques.

Observation:

  • Key features of retroviral oncogenes were first identified in the src oncogene of Rous sarcoma virus.
  • These features include non-involvement in viral replication, encoding a single protein, and having a cellular origin.

Findings:

  • The discovery and characterization of oncogenes were enabled by new quantitative biological and molecular methods.
  • MYC, RAS, and ERBB oncogenes were rapidly identified following SRC.

Implications:

  • MYC, RAS, ERBB, and PI3K are now recognized as crucial driving forces in human cancer.
  • Understanding retroviral oncogenes provides insights into cancer mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

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