Summary
The newer methods of molecular virology, including molecular hybridization and the “simultaneous detection test,” were used to examine human brain tumors for evidence of RNA tumor viruses. It was found that they contained 70S RNA and RNA-directed DNA polymerase, both encapsulated in a particle possessing a density of 1.17 g/ml. These particles therefore satisfy the three diagnostic features that characterize the animal RNA tumor viruses. Of 26 of the most malignant (glioblastoma and medullo blastoma) brain tumors examined, 24 (92%) contained these virus-like entities. The possible usefulness of these particles as aids in diagnosis and monitoring therapy is briefly discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Spiegelman, S., DNA and the RNA viruses. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. (Biol.)177 (1971), 87–108.
—, Schlom, J., Reverse transcriptase in oncogenic RNA viruses. In: Virus Cell Interactions and Viral Antimetabolites (D. Shugar, ed.), pp. 115–133. London: Academic Press (FEBS Symposium). 1972.
Axel, R., Schlom, J., Spiegelman, S., Presence in human breast cancer of RNA homologous to mouse mammary tumour virus RNA. Nature (Lond.)235 (1972), 32–36.
Hehlmann, R., Kufe, D., Spiegelman, S., Viral-related RNA in Hodgkin's disease and other human lymphomas. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.69 (1972), 1727–1731.
— — —, RNA in human leukemic cells related to the RNA of a mouse leukemia virus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.69 (1972),435–439.
Cuatico, W., Cho, J.-R., Spiegelman, S., Particles with RNA of high molecular weight and RNA-directed DNA polymerase in human brain tumors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.70 (1973), 2789–2793.
— — —, Evidence of particle-associated RNA-directed DNA polymerase and high molecular weight RNA in human gastrointestinal and lung malignancies. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.71 (1974), 3304–3308.
Schlom, J., Spiegelman, S., Simultaneous detection of reverse transcriptase and high molecular weight RNA unique to oncogenic RNA viruses. Science174 (1971), 840–843.
Hall, B. D., Spiegelman, S., Sequence complementarity of T2-DNA and T2-specific RNA. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.47 (1961), 137–146.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cuatico, W., Cho, J.R. & Spiegelman, S. Molecular evidence for a viral etiology of human CNS tumors. Acta neurochir 35, 149–160 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405943
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405943