What is V-Sis oncogene?
The simian sarcoma virus is a double-stranded RNA virus that was known to cause cancer in specific species of monkeys. The simian sarcoma virus inserts its’ RNA into the host cell DNA. The host cell DNA now contains the RNA from the virus. The specific virus gene is then called an oncogene in the host DNA. The sis gene is the gene that encodes for the platelet derived-growth factor (PDGF). The mutant gene is called v-sis oncogene. The v-sis oncogene is a virally transmitted gene that encodes a protein very similar to a subunit of platelet-derived growth factor. This peptide can bind to the platelet derived-growth factor (PDGF) receptor and activate it. If the virus infects a cell that has PDGF receptors, the virus continually keeps the receptor activated. The activation of the receptor continually tells the cell to divide. This causes uncontrolled cellular growth, which is cancer.
