Viral transformation

Viral transformation is the transfection of DNA to a host cell. Transfected DNA can impose characteristically determinable features upon a cell. Typical phenotypic changes include: high saturation density, anchorage-independent growth, loss of contact inhibition, loss of orientated growth, immortalisation, disruption of the cell’s cytoskeleton.

Epidemiological studies suggest that transfection of cells by viruses occurs via multiple steps. This involves initiation, promotion and progression events. Viruses act along with other factors to transform cells. The persistence of at least part of the viral genome within the cell is required for cell transformation. This is accompanied by the continual expression from a number of viral genes. These genes interfere with a cell’s signalling pathway causing the observed phenotypic changes of the cell. The end result is a transformed cell showing increased cell division, which is favourable to the virus.