Transgenic mouse models for HTLV-I infection.
Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was the first human retrovirus isolated and is responsible for at least one form of human leukemia. The pathogenic mechanism(s) whereby HTLV transforms T lymphocytes in vivo is(are) obscure due to its long-term latency and the lack of practical representative animal models. The tax gene of HTLV-I has been implicated in this transformation process because of its ability to transactivate several cellular genes associated with T-cell replication and activation. Here, transgenic mouse models are discussed that express the Tax protein of HTLV-I and provide insights into its role in the cellular transformation process.
Grossman
W J
WJ
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Ratner
L
L
D000818:Animals; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016356:Gene Products, tax / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics
D016356:Gene Products, tax