Viral oncogene

Viral Oncogene

A viral oncogene is a gene found in any number of viruses that, when introduced into a host organism, can lead to the development of cancer. These oncogenes are derived from the genetic material of host organisms, which the virus had previously infected. The study of viral oncogenes has played a crucial role in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cancer.

History

The concept of viral oncogenes was first introduced in the early 20th century when researchers discovered that certain viruses could induce tumors in chickens. This led to the identification of the first viral oncogene, src, in the Rous sarcoma virus.

Function

Viral oncogenes function by disrupting the normal cell cycle control mechanisms in the host organism. This disruption can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division, a hallmark of cancer. The oncogenes achieve this by encoding proteins that interfere with the host's tumor suppressor genes, which are responsible for regulating cell division and preventing tumor formation.

Types of Viral Oncogenes

There are several types of viral oncogenes, each associated with different types of viruses. For example, the HPV virus carries the E6 and E7 oncogenes, which are known to cause cervical cancer in humans. Similarly, the HBV carries the X gene, which has been linked to liver cancer.

Clinical Significance

The study of viral oncogenes has significant clinical implications. Understanding how these genes function can lead to the development of targeted therapies for various types of cancer. For instance, drugs that inhibit the activity of viral oncogenes could potentially stop the growth of cancer cells.

See Also

• Oncogene
• Proto-oncogene
• Tumor suppressor gene
• Carcinogenesis
• Virus

References

This virology related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.