Biomaterial Database

RNA tumor viruses, DNA tumor viruses and developmental switches: a unifying hypothesis. 1984

M Pillow, and S Bendix

It is hypothesized that oncogenic viruses (both RNA and DNA tumor viruses) use cellular differentiation switches as part of their mechanism for viral replication. Chemical or radiation-induced carcinogenesis is the result of mutations which also affect these differentiation switches and their cellular controls. A transformed cell is characterized by the uncontrolled and inappropriate expression of embryonic (developmental) sequences. Many of the oncogenic viruses, both RNA and DNA, are lineage- and stage-specific in the cells they can productively infect, in keeping with their means of replication. The interaction between virus and host cellular controls determines whether recognizable neoplasia will result from viral infection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008957	Models, Genetic	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of genetic processes or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Genetic Models,Genetic Model,Model, Genetic
D009024	Morphogenesis	The development of anatomical structures to create the form of a single- or multi-cell organism. Morphogenesis provides form changes of a part, parts, or the whole organism.
D009857	Oncogenes	Genes whose gain-of-function alterations lead to NEOPLASTIC CELL TRANSFORMATION. They include, for example, genes for activators or stimulators of CELL PROLIFERATION such as growth factors, growth factor receptors, protein kinases, signal transducers, nuclear phosphoproteins, and transcription factors. A prefix of "v-" before oncogene symbols indicates oncogenes captured and transmitted by RETROVIRUSES; the prefix "c-" before the gene symbol of an oncogene indicates it is the cellular homolog (PROTO-ONCOGENES) of a v-oncogene.	Transforming Genes,Oncogene,Transforming Gene,Gene, Transforming,Genes, Transforming
D002454	Cell Differentiation	Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.	Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002472	Cell Transformation, Viral	An inheritable change in cells manifested by changes in cell division and growth and alterations in cell surface properties. It is induced by infection with a transforming virus.	Transformation, Viral Cell,Viral Cell Transformation,Cell Transformations, Viral,Transformations, Viral Cell,Viral Cell Transformations
D003673	Defective Viruses	Viruses which lack a complete genome so that they cannot completely replicate or cannot form a protein coat. Some are host-dependent defectives, meaning they can replicate only in cell systems which provide the particular genetic function which they lack. Others, called SATELLITE VIRUSES, are able to replicate only when their genetic defect is complemented by a helper virus.	Incomplete Viruses,Defective Hybrids,Defective Hybrid,Defective Virus,Hybrid, Defective,Hybrids, Defective,Incomplete Virus,Virus, Defective,Virus, Incomplete,Viruses, Defective,Viruses, Incomplete
D004261	DNA Replication	The process by which a DNA molecule is duplicated.	Autonomous Replication,Replication, Autonomous,Autonomous Replications,DNA Replications,Replication, DNA,Replications, Autonomous,Replications, DNA
D004263	DNA Tumor Viruses	DNA viruses producing malignant tumors. Of the six major groupings of DNA viruses four contain members which are actually or potentially oncogenic: the Adenoviridae, the Herpesviridae, the Papovaviridae, and the Poxviridae.	DNA Tumor Virus,Tumor Virus, DNA,Tumor Viruses, DNA,Virus, DNA Tumor,Viruses, DNA Tumor
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D005809	Genes, Regulator	Genes which regulate or circumscribe the activity of other genes; specifically, genes which code for PROTEINS or RNAs which have GENE EXPRESSION REGULATION functions.	Gene, Regulator,Regulator Gene,Regulator Genes,Regulatory Genes,Gene, Regulatory,Genes, Regulatory,Regulatory Gene