HTLV-1 Research
Millions of people worldwide are infected with HTLV-1, but do not realize it and pass the virus on to their families.
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, or HTLV-1, is similar to HIV and has been around even longer. It was discovered in 1980 from the leukemic cells of a patient at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Infection with HTLV-1, like infection with other retroviruses, occurs for life, but most infected persons remain asymptomatic carriers of the virus. In some cases, however, HTLV-1 can cause adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the white blood cells. Infected persons also may develop myelopathy, a neurological disorder.
Examining the Tax Gene
Evidence shows that HTLV-1 causes problems for cells during their division cycles. A team of USU researchers led by Chou-Zen Giam, Ph.D., is researching these cellular changes and trying to understand how and why they can cause leukemia.
Giam is focusing on the Tax gene, which is unique to this virus. The Tax protein is important for activating viral replication and is responsible for upsetting the cell division cycle.
Researchers hope that by unlocking the Tax protein's mechanisms of action and the cellular changes that occur after HTLV-1 infection, they can better understand the basis of adult T-cell leukemia and treat it effectively.