The mechanisms by which genes normally encoding for growth factor receptors can be """"""""activated"""""""" as oncogenes is being studied. A molecular clone of the v-erb gene from the ES4 isolate of avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) has been constructed into a murine retroviral vector (MuLV) and a virus has been obtained after transfection of this DNA into NIH/3T3 cells and """"""""rescued"""""""" with a helper leukemogenic virus. This new murine pseudotype of the v-erb gene is now being used to study how it alters the growth properties and the differentiation program of a number of in vitro systems of murine orgin. Molecular constructions have been engineered into retroviral vectors to test the transforming potential of the recently isolated HER 2 gene (also called neu). The amino truncation of the protein """"""""activates"""""""" its transforming ability; a double amino and carboxy truncation does not enhance this latter effect (as suggested in other systems). Virus stocks obtained as described above from this transforming counterpart of the HER 2 gene are now being tested in vivo and in vitro.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Division of Cancer Epidemiology And Genetics (NCI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01CP005457-02
Application #
3963545
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code