Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus Biology and Oncogenesis

Abstract

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the causative agent of a lung cancer in sheep known as ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). The disease has been identified around the world in several breeds of sheep and goats, and JSRV infection typically has a serious impact on affected flocks. In addition, studies on OPA are an excellent model for human lung carcinogenesis. A unique feature of JSRV is that its envelope (Env) protein functions as an oncogene. The JSRV Env-induced transformation or oncogenesis has been studied in a variety of cell systems and in animal models. Moreover, JSRV studies have provided insights into retroviral genomic RNA export/expression mechanisms. JSRV encodes a trans-acting factor (Rej) within the env gene necessary for the synthesis of Gag protein from unspliced viral RNA. This review summarizes research pertaining to JSRV-induced pathogenesis, Env transformation, and other aspects of JSRV biology.

Detection of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus in the peripheral blood during the pre-clinical period of ovine pulmonary adenomatosis

“…Production of copious amounts of fluid from the lung is a symptom of OPA. The fluid has a frothy, clear, milky, or at times pinkish appearance, and drains from the sheep's nostrils when the sheep lowers its head and lifts its rear end (Hofacre and Fan, 2010). However, this lung fluid is not easily observed in many cases, which makes it difficult to carry out preventive measures and control virus transmission in a timely manner.…”

“…Its genome contains essential genes of retroviruses such as gag, pro, pol, and env. The env gene encodes the surface and transmembrane domains of the Env protein, which is located at the outermost layer of the virus (Griffiths et al, 2010;Hofacre and Fan, 2010). This domain has been shown to be the dominant oncoprotein for inducing cell transformation both in vitro (Cousens et al, 2007;Liu and Miller, 2007) and in vivo (Wootton et al, 2005;Caporale et al, 2006).…”

Registration of Increased Risk of Brain Cancer after the Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

“…The endogenous retroviruses associated with MS are potential causative agents in relation to cancer as retroviruses can cause immunological neoplasms [8,9] and also more rarely solid tumors [10]. Recently, it was proposed that MS may be caused by an infective agent entering the brain through the vagus nerve [11].…”

SNPs in candidate genes MX dynamin‐like GTPase and chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor‐5 are associated with ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma progression in Latxa sheep

“…The oncogenic envelope protein of JSRV induces transformation of these secretory epithelial cells, giving rise to neoplasms (Wootton et al 2005;Murgia et al 2011). Affected animals show a progressive respiratory distress and loss of body condition, although some individuals remain asymptomatic (Hofacre & Fan 2010;Minguij on et al 2013). Disease is most common in young adult sheep with a consequent economic and welfare impact (De las Heras et al 2003).…”