Related Experiment Videos
SV40-like sequences in human bone tumors
M Carbone1, P Rizzo, A Procopio
1Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Oncogene
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Simian virus 40 (SV40)-like sequences were unexpectedly found in human bone tumors, particularly osteosarcomas. This suggests a potential link between SV40 and the development of these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a known oncogenic virus in hamsters.
- Previous studies indicated SV40-like sequences in human ependymomas, choroid plexus tumors, and mesotheliomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of SV40-like sequences in additional human tumor types.
- To determine if SV40-like sequences are associated with human bone tumors.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify SV40 large T antigen (Tag) sequences from 200 tumor and normal tissue DNA samples.
- Southern blot hybridization and DNA sequencing were employed for confirmation and further characterization of amplified sequences.
Main Results:
- SV40-like sequences were detected in 18 out of 200 initial samples.
- Unexpectedly, 11 of these positive samples were from patients with osteosarcomas.
- Further analysis confirmed SV40 Tag sequences in 40/126 osteosarcomas and 14/34 other bone tumors, including sequences for the VP1 capsid protein.
Conclusions:
- SV40-like sequences are present in a significant proportion of human bone tumors, especially osteosarcomas.
- These findings suggest a potential role for SV40 in the etiology of human bone cancers.