Sheep retrovirus structural protein induces lung tumours

Sarah K. Wootton, Christine L. Halbert and A. Dusty Miller ()
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Sarah K. Wootton: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Christine L. Halbert: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
A. Dusty Miller: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Nature, 2005, vol. 434, issue 7035, 904-907

Abstract: Oncogenic protein The lung cancer caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) — which killed the world's first cloned mammal Dolly — can be duplicated by the expression of just one structural protein of the virus, Env envelope protein. This is the first example of a structural retroviral tumour-causing protein and is rare if not unique among viruses. Surprisingly, immunodeficient mice expressing Env also develop lung cancer whereas immunocompetent mice rarely do. The immune system can block tumorigenesis: sheep are immunotolerant of the virus, which may explain why JSRV seems not to affect most other animals, including humans. It is thought, however, that lung cancer in humans may be due in part to a JSRV-like retrovirus. These new results will focus the search for such viruses on immunocompromised subjects.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03492

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