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CMBM E4 CB > Viral Oncogenesis > Flashcards

Viral Oncogenesis Flashcards

1
Q

How do direct-acting oncogenic viruses work?

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A

The virus introduces a new ‘transforming’ gene into the host cell

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2
Q

What is an example of a direct-acting oncogenic virus?

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A

The src gene from RSV

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3
Q

How do indirect-acting oncogenic viruses work?

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A

The virus alters the expression of pre-existing (cellular) genes

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4
Q

What are onco-proteins?

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A

They interact with an inactivate cellular tumor suppressors.

ex. HPV proteins E6 and E7

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5
Q

T/F: There is a single mutation that causes cancer

A

False. Cancer is ALWAYS an accumulation of mutations

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6
Q

T/F: All persons infected with oncogenic viruses will get cancer

A

False. Typically pre-cancerous changes to cells are recognized by our immune system and cells are cleared out before cancer can establish

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7
Q

How do RNA tumor viruses work?

A
  1. Carry transduced cellular oncogenes that play no role in virus replication
    OR
  2. They act through indirect mechanisms
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8
Q

How do DNA tumor viruses work?

A

DNA viruses carry transforming genes that do NOT have homologs in the host genome (required for viral replication).

DNA virus oncoproteins interact with normal cellular proteins to alter their function.

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9
Q

The vast majority of human cancers of viral origin are due to ____ viruses.

A

DNA

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10
Q

Viral oncoproteins directly alter which cellular proteins?

A

Cell cycle regulators
Cytoskeletal proteins
Apoptotic pathways

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11
Q

What indirect mechanisms are involved in tumorigenesis?

A 
Inflammatory pathways (generate ROS)
Immune suppression (leading to reduced clearance of aberrant cells)
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12
Q

What are types of HPV have a high oncogenic potential?

A

HPVs 16 and 18

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13
Q

How can DNA viruses take over the host cell’s genome?

A
  1. Some DNA viruses have an episome (genome outside the host genome)
  2. Some can integrate into the host genome
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14
Q

What is the hallmark of cancers caused by HPV?

A

HPV cancers develop slowly (decades)

Chronic infection with high-risk HPV

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15
Q

What are the transformative oncoproteins in high risk HPV types?

A

E6 and E7

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16
Q

Identify the host cellular proteins that E6 and E7 bind to.

A

E6: p53
E7: pRb

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17
Q

How can E6 and E7 induce tumorigenesis?

A

All types of HPV have these genes, but the proteins behave differently in high-risk and low-risk types:

E6 protein binds to p53. Low risk HPVs make an E6 protein that binds to p53 with LOWER affinity than the E6 protein in high risk HPV.

18
Q

What two proteins are critical checkpoints in the cell cycle?

A

p53 and pRb

19
Q

What are the functions of p53?

A

Tumor suppressor
Major control center of the cell cycle
Arrests cell cycle at G1/S phase upon detection of DNA damage
Becomes active after phosphorylation, binds to DNA to trigger the expression of a variety of genes (transcription factor)

20
Q

p53 mutations are indicated in ___% of tumors

21
Q

What is MDM2?

A

p53 inhibitor

22
Q

What happens when E6 binds p53?

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A

p53 cannot function as a transcriptional activator –> cell cycle progresses unregulated

23
Q

Does inactivating p53 cause cancer?

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A

No. But it does lead to a slow accumulation of damaged DNA within the cell and its progeny. THIS can result in cancer.

24
Q

What is pRb?

A

Tumor suppressor
Normally binds E2F transcription factor, which halts cell cycle
When pRb is phosphorylated/activated, it releases E2F, which then binds to DNA and begins transcription

25
What happens when E7 binds to pRb? | starred slide
Rb is stuck to E7, allowing E2F to transcribe genes unregulated. Viral DNA is integrated, disrupts E2 expression, viral proteins are expresses and virus proliferates.
26
How are E6 and telomerase related?
E6 induces transcription of proteins which result in cellular increase in active telomerase
27
What is the major mechanism for KSHV infection? | starred slide
LANA1 (viral protein) | Binds to p53, blocks its transcriptional and pro-apoptotic activities
28
What are other major transforming mechanisms of KSHV?
Induction of chromosome instability Dysregulation of cellular apoptotic pathways Inducing secretion of growth factors
29
How does KSHV act indirectly?
Plays a systemic role in promoting tumor growth: 1. Immune evasion 2. Promotes angiogenesis by stimulating cytokine release from infected cells
30
What are the oncogenes implicated in EBV-caused tumorigenesis?
LMP1 | EBNA2
31
How does EBNA2 work?
Acts as a transcriptional activator for many downstream genes - -Viral: upregulates other late genes, activates viral promoter - -Host: upregulates B cell antigens CD21 and CD23 Can alter expression of host cell oncogene c-MYC
32
How does LMP1 work?
Constitutively active member of TNF receptor family Looks like CD40, so can mimic B-cell activation and subsequent unregulated proliferation
33
What is the result of EBV-mediated transformation of LMP1?
Activates anti-apoptotic and cytokine genes, and cell surface proteins are altered Changes B cell surfaces, making them easier to evade immune response
34
What chromosomal translocations to EBV tumors have in vivo, but not in vitro? What does this suggest?
c-myc proto-oncogene (8q24) DO NOT show EBNA2 and LMP1 This suggests that the viral infection was required to begin the process of transformation, but that the translocation events in the host cell are the necessary factor in maintaining oncogenic status
35
What forms of cancers are commonly associated with retroviruses?
Lymphomas | Sarcomas
36
What are the hallmarks of retroviral infection?
Non-lytic Genetic material is inserted at random within the host genome Viral genetic material remains within the cellular DNA for the life of the cell No known way to cure a cell of chronic retroviral infection
37
How does an acute transforming retrovirus work? | starred slide
Virus carries an oncogene, which is then incorporated into the host genome under viral promoter
38
How do acute and slow transforming retroviruses differ? | starred slide
Slow transforming viruses do NOT carry an oncogene
39
Where does the oncogene in an acute transforming retrovirus come from? (starred slide)
From the host. Typically an oncogene that was picked up by the virus --> becomes oncogenic under the viral promoter
40
What does tumor formation depend on in slow transforming retroviruses?
Can depend on WHERE the viral genome is inserted into host genome

CMBM E4 CB (13 decks)

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