Human DNA oncogenic viruses and their transforming protein interactions with cell cycle control proteins

Purpose Both oncogenic viruses and cell cycle control proteins are fast-growth research areas. More and more evidence indicates that virus infection and replication are often associated with apoptosis and interfere with cell cycle pathways. To understand the mechanisms by which viral proteins regulate apoptosis and target the cellular pathways may lead to the development of new remedies for some cancers. Data sources English literature searched by MEDLINE from January 1995 to August 1998. Study selection and data extraction More than one hundred research papers published in these areas over the past three years. Only new and important breakthroughs in these papers are selected. The review focuses on DNA viruses associated with the development of human cancers. Results and conclusions Some DNA viruses contain oncogenic proteins which transform normal cells in vitro and induce tumors in animals. These viral proteins target the cellular pathways and block apoptosis induced by receptors or in response to signal transduction. Viral interference with host cell apoptosis leads to enhanced viral replication and may promote carcinogenesis. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, such as Retinoblastoma (RB) and p53, play important roles in regulation of these interactions