Role of the interaction between large T antigen and Rb family members in the oncogenicity of JC virus

V Caracciolo, K Reiss, K Khalili, G De Falco… - Oncogene, 2006 - nature.com
V Caracciolo, K Reiss, K Khalili, G De Falco, A Giordano
Oncogene, 2006nature.com
Human polyomaviruses (JC virus, BK virus and simian virus 40) are causative agents of
some human diseases and, interestingly, are involved in processes of cell transformation
and oncogenesis. These viruses need the cell cycle machinery of the host cell to complete
their replication; so they evolved mechanisms that can interfere with the growth control of
infected cells and force them into DNA replication. The retinoblastoma family of proteins
(pRb), which includes pRb/p105, p107 and pRb2/p130, acts as one of the most important …
Abstract
Human polyomaviruses (JC virus, BK virus and simian virus 40) are causative agents of some human diseases and, interestingly, are involved in processes of cell transformation and oncogenesis. These viruses need the cell cycle machinery of the host cell to complete their replication; so they evolved mechanisms that can interfere with the growth control of infected cells and force them into DNA replication. The retinoblastoma family of proteins (pRb), which includes pRb/p105, p107 and pRb2/p130, acts as one of the most important regulators of the G1/S transition of the cell cycle. Rb proteins represent an important target for viral oncoproteins. Early viral T antigens can bind all members of the pRb family, promoting the activation of the E2F family of transcription factors, thus inducing the expression of genes required for the entry to the S phase. The interaction between early viral antigens and cell cycle regulators represents an important mechanism through which viruses deregulate cell cycle and lead to cell transformation. In this review, we will discuss the effects of the interaction between large T antigen and Rb proteins in JC virus-mediated oncogenesis.
nature.com