title: Large T antigens of polyomaviruses: amazing molecular machines.
abstract: The large tumor antigen (T antigen) encoded by simian virus 40 is an amazing molecular machine because it orchestrates viral infection by modulating multiple fundamental viral and cellular processes. T antigen is required for viral DNA replication, transcription, and virion assembly. In addition, T antigen targets multiple cellular pathways, including those that regulate cell proliferation, cell death, and the inflammatory response. Ectopic T antigen expression results in the immortalization and transformation of many cell types in culture and T antigen induces neoplasia when expressed in rodents. The analysis of the mechanisms by which T antigen carries out its many functions has proved to be a powerful way of gaining insights into cell biology. The accelerating pace at which new polyomaviruses are being discovered provides a collection of novel T antigens that, like simian virus 40, can be used to discover and study key cellular regulatory systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sáenz Robles
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pipas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D019065:Virus Assembly; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor; D037521:Virulence Factors