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How viral oncogenes make the cell cycle
1Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Forschungs-schwerpunkt Angewandte Tumorvirologie, Heidelberg, Germany. p.jansen-duerr@dkfz-beidelberg.de
Abstract:
Oncogenic viruses provide their host cells with additional growth stimuli, thereby extending their proliferative capacity. This implies that viral oncogenes can override growth-suppressive signals, which control cell-cycle progression in untransformed cells. Viral oncoproteins deregulate cell-cycle control by interfering with receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways and the function of nuclear cell-cycle regulatory proteins. As a consequence of these regulatory interactions, many viral oncogenes induce the expression of cellular genes required for cell-cycle progression, including genes encoding G1 cyclins. Apparently, different oncogenic viruses target different subsets of these cell-cycle regulatory pathways to transform cells.
Insights
Oncogenic viruses promote cell growth by overriding normal cell cycle controls. Viral oncoproteins disrupt signaling pathways, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and transformation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Oncogenic viruses possess viral oncogenes that confer additional growth stimuli to host cells.
- These oncogenes can overcome crucial growth-suppressive signals governing cell-cycle progression in normal cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate how viral oncogenes override cellular growth controls.
- To understand the mechanisms by which viral oncoproteins interfere with cell-cycle regulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of viral oncogene function in host cells.
- Investigation of interactions between viral oncoproteins and cellular signaling pathways.
- Examination of gene expression changes related to cell-cycle progression.
Main Results:
- Viral oncogenes override host cell growth suppressors, enhancing proliferative capacity.
- Viral oncoproteins disrupt receptor-mediated signal transduction and nuclear regulatory proteins.
- Many viral oncogenes upregulate cellular genes, including G1 cyclins, essential for cell-cycle progression.
Conclusions:
- Oncogenic viruses transform cells by deregulating cell-cycle control.
- Different oncogenic viruses utilize distinct pathways to achieve cell transformation.