Oncogenic transformation by BK virus and association with human tumors.
BK virus (BKV), a human polyomavirus closely related to JC virus and Simian Virus 40, is ubiquitous in human populations worldwide. After primary infection, BKV establishes a lifelong latent infection in many organs. BKV transforms rodent cells to the neoplastic phenotype and is highly oncogenic in rodents. This review considers the oncogenic potential of BKV in humans and its possible involvement in human tumors. BKV sequences and T antigen (Tag) are detected in several types of human neoplasms, although the viral load is generally low, with less than one copy of the viral genome per cell. The possible causative role of BKV in human oncogenesis rests on the ability of BKV Tag to inactivate the functions of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRB family as well as on its ability to induce chromosomal aberrations in human cells. A 'hit and run' mechanism and secretion of paracrine growth factors by BKV Tag-positive cells, recruiting into proliferation neighboring and distant cells, are discussed as possible BKV pathogenic elements in human oncogenesis.
Tognon
Mauro
M
Department of Morphology and Embryology, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Ferrara, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy.
Corallini
Alfredo
A
Martini
Fernanda
F
Negrini
Massimo
M
Barbanti-Brodano
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D001739:BK Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002455:Cell Division; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53