Abstract
RNA tumour virus genes are contained in the chromosomal DNA of most vertebrates, and may be transmitted vertically from parent to progeny along with other cellular genes, as well as horizontally as infectious particles. Activation of these viral genes may be part of the means by which RNA tumour viruses produce cancer. Viral genes and their possible gene products have been characterized. The envelope glycoprotein, for example, interacts with specific membrane receptors on cell surfaces and the major phosphoprotein binds to specific viral RNA sequences. Type-C viral gene sequences have evolved as the species have evolved, and have been transferred between distantly related species under natural conditions. The presence of genetically transmitted viral genes in several vertebrate species, including primates, and the evidence that they may provide normal functions beneficial to the species carrying them, suggests that the potential to cause cancer is a pathological manifestation of a normal physiological process.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Additional information
This paper formed the Walter Hubert Lecture delivered at the Annual General Meeting of the British Association of Cancer Research, March 1977.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Todaro, G. RNA-tumour-virus genes and transforming genes: patterns of transmission. Br J Cancer 37, 139–158 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1978.23
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1978.23
This article is cited by
-
Investigation of lysosomal hydrolase activity during the development of experimental leukemia
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (1980)