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Simian virus 40 DNA sequences in human brain and bone tumours
1University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Denver 80262, USA.
Developments in Biological Standardization
|October 17, 1998
Summary
Simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA sequences were found in childhood brain and bone tumors. Further research is needed to confirm if SV40 causes these human cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Simian virus 40 (SV40) is known to cause tumors in animals.
- Transgenic mice expressing SV40 large T-antigen developed choroid plexus (CP) tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of SV40 DNA sequences with human brain and bone tumors.
- To determine if SV40 plays a role in human oncogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were used to detect SV40-like DNA sequences.
- Analysis included viral genome regions: large T-antigen (Rb-pocket binding domain and carboxy-terminal), viral enhancer/origin, and VP1 gene.
- DNA samples from childhood brain tumors, Li-Fraumeni kindreds, and bone tumors were analyzed.
Main Results:
- SV40-like DNA sequences were detected in 10/20 CP tumors and 10/11 ependymomas.
- Sequences related to SV40 were found in amplified products from multiple viral genome regions.
- SV40-like sequences were identified in 11/18 positive samples from Li-Fraumeni kindreds and 54/160 bone tumor samples.
Conclusions:
- These findings associate SV40-like sequences with human CP, ependymoma, and bone tumors.
- A causal relationship between SV40 and human oncogenesis requires further investigation.