Saturday, November 3, 2007

How One Virus Uses Mimicry To Replicate Successfully: Related Mechanisms May Trigger Some Cancers

Adenoviruses use a protein which inhibit pRb, a normal cell protein which stops cell division when certain cancer-causing mutations are present. Lack of pRb has been correlated with certain cancers.

Although adenoviruses haven't been shown to cause cancer themselves, it was shown that the adenovirus protein E1A inhibits pRb by mimicry - it is similar to a normal protein in cells which is used to inhibit pRb naturally.

This research could be used to enlighten how viruses can contribute to cancers.

Full Article

Nick

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