A novel system for studying in vivo effects of tumor promoters on DNA tumor viruses
Wunderlich, V.; Scherneck, S.
Biomedica Biochimica Acta 46(4): K1-K7
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0232-766X PMID: 3115256 Document Number: 302701
An animal system is described that allows the analysis of the interaction of persisting hamster papovavirus (HaPV) genomes with the tumor-promoting phorbol ester TPA. In a colony of HaPV-bearing Syrian golden hamsters, extrachromosomal HaPV genomes were detected by Southern blot hybridization in DNA isolated from skin biopsies. Chronic topical treatment of hamsters with TPA resulted in a dramatic increase of viral DNA in skin cells at the sites of TPA application. After finishing the TPA treatment, the amount of extrachromosomal viral DNA declined but was still enhanced more than three months thereafter. This model offers the possibility of investigating, at the molecular level, the initiating role of virus in tumorigenesis.