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The protein products of the myc and myb oncogenes and adenovirus E1a are structurally related
Abstract:
Structural and functional homologies have been found among proteins encoded by several retroviral oncogenes, demonstrating the existence of families of these genes. Because the retroviral oncogenes have cellular homologues, the existence of similar families among these 'cellular oncogenes' is also implied (for a review, see ref. 2). Cellular genes belonging to these families have been found in such evolutionarily distant species as humans, fruit flies, nematodes and brewer's yeast (E. Scolnick and S. Reed, personal communications), consistent with the hypothesis that these genes have evolved from a small number of ancestral sequences. We extend these observations by showing here that the proteins encoded by the oncogenes myc, myb and adenovirus E1a are structurally related. Our findings suggest that oncogenes of RNA and DNA tumour viruses may in at least some instances share evolutionary origins and function according to common principles.
Insights
Structural similarities reveal that oncogenes like myc, myb, and adenovirus E1a share evolutionary origins. This suggests common functional principles across different tumor virus oncogenes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Retroviral oncogenes and their cellular homologues form gene families.
- These gene families are conserved across evolutionarily distant species, suggesting ancient origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural relationships among oncogenes from RNA and DNA tumor viruses.
- To explore shared evolutionary origins and functional principles of oncogenes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative protein structural analysis.
- Identification of homologies between oncogene protein products.
Main Results:
- Proteins encoded by the myc, myb, and adenovirus E1a oncogenes are structurally related.
- Evidence supports shared evolutionary origins between RNA and DNA tumor virus oncogenes.
Conclusions:
- Oncogenes from different tumor virus types may share common evolutionary pathways.
- These findings imply that oncogenes function based on shared fundamental principles.