Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Mar 2024)

Virus-induced host genomic remodeling dysregulates gene expression, triggering tumorigenesis

  • Weixia Dong,
  • Huiqin Wang,
  • Menghui Li,
  • Ping Li,
  • Shaoping Ji,
  • Shaoping Ji

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1359766
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Virus-induced genomic remodeling and altered gene expression contribute significantly to cancer development. Some oncogenic viruses such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) specifically trigger certain cancers by integrating into the host’s DNA, disrupting gene regulation linked to cell growth and migration. The effect can be through direct integration of viral genomes into the host genome or through indirect modulation of host cell pathways/proteins by viral proteins. Viral proteins also disrupt key cellular processes like apoptosis and DNA repair by interacting with host molecules, affecting signaling pathways. These disruptions lead to mutation accumulation and tumorigenesis. This review focuses on recent studies exploring virus-mediated genomic structure, altered gene expression, and epigenetic modifications in tumorigenesis.

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