title: Large T and small T antigens of Merkel cell polyomavirus.
abstract: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is the etiological agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and highly lethal human skin cancer. A natural component of skin flora, MCV becomes tumorigenic only after integration into the host DNA together with specific mutations to the viral genome. Research on MCV large T (LT) and small T (sT) antigens, the only viral products expressed in MCC, shows that these major oncoproteins not only possess biochemical functions found in common with other polyomavirus T antigens, but also demonstrate new cellular targets not described in previous polyomavirus models. This review provides a map of the relevant functional motifs and domains in MCV T antigens that have been identified, highlighting their roles in tumorigenesis.
authors: Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Suite 1.8, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
authors: Justin A
authors: JA
authors: Wendzicki
authors: Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Suite 1.8, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States. Electronic address: psm9@pitt.edu.
authors: Patrick S
authors: PS
authors: Moore
authors: Cancer Virology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Suite 1.8, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States. Electronic address: yc70@pitt.edu.
authors: Yuan
authors: Y
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D059965:Merkel cell polyomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D000957:Antigens, Viral, Tumor