Work

Complex splicing in the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) family of retroviruses: novel mRNAs and proteins produced by HTLV type I

Year: 1992

Type: article

Abstract: Novel cytoplasmic mRNA species produced by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) were cloned by using the polymerase chain reaction technique. Five novel 3' splice sites located in the X region and upstream of the env gene were identified. Splicing to the 3' splice sites in the X region generates mRNAs that express two previously unidentified viral proteins, named Rof and Tof. Tof accumulates in the nucleoli of transfected cells. The other viruses of the HTLV family, such as HTLV-II and bovine leukemia virus, also have a complex splicing pattern and are capable of producing additional proteins encoded in the X region. These results suggest that HTLV-I and other members of the HTLV family produce novel proteins, which may contribute to the biological properties of these viruses.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.66.3.1737-1745.1992

Authors: V Ciminale, G N Pavlakis, D Derse, C P Cunningham, B K Felber

Institutions: Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute

Language: English

Topic: T-cell and Retrovirus Studies

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute