The simian virus 40 large T antigen. A lot packed into a little

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen is an 81,000 Mr, multifunctional viral phosphoprotein. Certain of its functions are essential to the viral replication process in monkey cells. Others, as yet undefined in biochemical terms, contribute to its neoplastic transforming activity. This review focuses on the known structure-function relationships of this protein and reflects upon the potential significance of its transforming properties in the natural host species of this virus.