[Molecular bases of papillomavirus and polyomavirus carcinogenesis]

Polyomavirus is able to induce tumors in its natural host as well as to transform cells in cultures. On the other hand, human papillomavirus has been involved in several types of neoplasias such as anogenital lesions. Little is known about the mechanisms through which these viruses induce both transformation and tumorigenesis. The present, work shows some characteristics of the mechanisms that papillomavirus and polyomavirus use to participate in tumorigenesis. It has also been noticed that the infection caused by polyomavirus resembles that performed by papillomaviruses (which belong to the same Papovaviridae family). Some similarities and differences between these viruses are considered.