Viral Oncogenesis Flashcards
What is cancer characterized by?
An accumulation of mutations due to uncontrolled cell growth which ultimately deregulate the cell cycle, DNA repair machine and cell differentiation
Proto-oncogenes
Promote progression of the cell cycle
Oncogene
Mutated to promote unchecked cell growth (cancer)
What are the DNA virus families which are capable of oncogenesis?
Papilloma Polyoma Adeno Herpes Hepandna Pox
What are the RNA virus families which are capable of oncogenesis?
Adult T-cell leukemia (HTVL)
What is a direct acting oncogenic virus?
The virus introduced a new transforming gene into the cell
What is an indirect acting oncogenic virus?
The virus alters the expression of pre-existing cellular genes
What is an onco-protein?
Proteins with the ability to become oncogenic and interact and inactive cellular tumor suppressors
Will all people infected with oncogenic viruses get cancer and why?
No because transformation is a rare process
What type of infections does a transforming virus set up?
Long term/persistent
If someone is infected with an oncogenic virus, what is the key factor to being forming tumors?
Viral infection in sufficient amount
How does a virus act as cofactor for tumor formation?
Provide certain steps in process of transformation (but not all)
If there are viral genetic material expressed in every cell what does that indicate?
Indicates viral genes are necessary for maintaining a transformed state
If the viral infection is only necessary to begin the transformation process what does that mean?
Viral genes drive tumor initiation but does need to stay for the transformation to continue
What are the two ways that tumor causing retroviruses cause tumors?
Carry transduced cellular oncogenes that play no role in replication
Act through indirect mechanism (location of viral gene insertion)
Are the transforming genes from tumor-causing DNA match the homologs to the host genome?
No
Which type of virus will cause the majority of human cancers?
DNA
What are some of the mechanisms involved in tumorogenesis?
Expression of viral oncoproteins can alter different cellular proteins
Indirect mechanism of tumor formation where viral proteins interact with other cellular processes
Episome
When a DNA virus maintains their genome outside of the host genome
How many different genera exist in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
16
What tissues are HPV likely to infect?
Epithelial cells in skin and mucous membranes
Which HPV types are considered “low-risk”?
6 and 11 (ano-genital warts)