# SV40 ANTIGEN, CHROMATIN STRUCTURE AND VIRAL FUNCTION

> **NIH NIH R01** · SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES · 1987 · $154,692

## Abstract

The genetic information of all higher organisms resides in their
chromosomes; therefore, the molecular mechanisms by which chromosomes are
replicated and transcribed are fundamental to understanding the
proliferation and differentiation of all cells.  Simian virus 40 (SV40)
chromosomes utilize normal cellular host processes for viral DNA
replication and transcription within permissive cells and thus are
appropriate and relatively simple model systems for studying these
processes.  Analyzing the properties of virally-expressed proteins as they
regulate viral transcription and replication during productive infection of
eukaryotic cells is necessary for understanding how viruses function within
host cells.  This proposal is concerned with further studies on the
structure and function of large T antigen, both cytoplasmic and
chromosome-bound species, synthesized during SV40 lytic infection.
Twenty-one monoclonal antibodies, specific for T, will be used to analyze
the role of T Ag in each of the several steps required for viral DNA
synthesis.  These antibodies, recognizing different structural and
functional sites as well as active and inactive subclasses of T, will
permit a comprehensive analysis of the multifunctional T protein as it
participates in a wide variety of activities related to replicative
function.  An amine-sensitive ester site in SV40 T is important for early
steps in viral replication.  Its replicative role will be analyzed using
several defined SV40 mutants.  This highly reactive ester bond appears
related to thiolester sites in the complement gene family and is present in
all papovavirus T Ags.  Highly homologous sequences are also found in
several other viral and cellular proteins.  Using biochemical and genetic
studies we will characterize and identify the SV40 trans acting
chromatin-bound factor responsible for activating late viral gene
transcription during lytic infection, concomitant with activation of viral
replication.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3174759
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037081-05
- **Recipient organization:** SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NNJ6BMBTFGN5
- **Principal Investigator:** LOIS C TACK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $154,692
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-08-01 → 1989-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3174759

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3174759, SV40 ANTIGEN, CHROMATIN STRUCTURE AND VIRAL FUNCTION (5R01CA037081-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3174759. Licensed CC0.

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