Pharmaceuticals that target cancer are becoming ineffective due to mutations in their target proteins. However, oncotropic, oncolytic, and oncoapoptotic viruses exist in nature. Apoptin, for example, from the chicken Anemia Virus (CAV), induces apoptosis in transformed cells by nuclear localization. Porcince Circovirus type 1 (PCV1), from the same family as CAV, contains a third open reading (ORF3) that is twice as long as in its homolog Porcine Circovirus type 2 or Apoptin. Localization and apoptosis analysis were performed on the protein coded in PCV1 ORF3, revealing cytoplasmic localization in both primary and transformed cells, contrary to Apoptin, but with similar apoptosis activity. These results suggest an alternative pathway of apoptosis induction from Apoptin.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rogers, Andrew McFarland
• Hough, Kenneth P

Contributors

• Gaudette, Glenn

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042512-173251

Advisor

• Wobbe, Kristin K.
• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Interdisciplinary
• Chemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright