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Cellular genes analogous to retroviral onc genes are transcribed in human tumour cells
Nature
|January 14, 1982
Abstract:
Polyadenylated RNAs of certain human tumour cell lines are shown to contain transcripts related to the cell-derived transforming onc genes of molecularly cloned primate, murine or avian transforming retrovirus genomes. Thus, analogues of retroviral transforming genes are both present and frequently expressed in human neoplastic cells.
Insights
Human tumor cells contain RNA transcripts similar to cancer-causing oncogenes found in animal retroviruses. These oncogene analogues are frequently expressed in human neoplastic cells, suggesting a role in cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Retroviruses carry cell-derived transforming oncogenes that drive tumor formation in animals.
- The presence and expression of similar oncogenes in human cancers are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of retroviral oncogene analogues in human tumor cells.
- To determine if these analogues are expressed in human neoplastic cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of polyadenylated RNAs from human tumor cell lines.
- Comparison of RNA transcripts with known retroviral oncogenes from primate, murine, and avian sources.
Main Results:
- Polyadenylated RNAs in human tumor cell lines contain transcripts related to cell-derived transforming oncogenes.
- Analogues of retroviral transforming genes are present in human neoplastic cells.
- These oncogene analogues are frequently expressed in human tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- Human neoplastic cells express analogues of retroviral transforming genes.
- The findings suggest a potential role for these oncogene analogues in human cancer pathogenesis.