# ONCOGENIC POTENTIAL OF THE HEPATITIS B-TYPE VIRUSES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 1987 · $101,579

## Abstract

We will use molecular approaches in three experimental contexts to define
the relationship of hepatitis B viruses (HBV)-like agents to cancer.

1. The genomes of two HBV-like agents of rodents, the woodchuck hepatitis
virus (WHV) and the ground squirrel hapatitis virus (GSHV), will be
recombined to seek determinants of the different host range and
pathological potential of these two viruses in studies that exploit our
demonstrated ability to establish infections with cloned viral DNA.

2. To investigate the role of viral genes in hepatoma development, we will
determine the organization and expression of HBV DNA in primary human
hepatomas.  These tumors will also be examined for the presence of genetic
lesions manifested by (a) HBV insertion mutations that repeatedly affect
the same host gene; (b) aberrant structure or expression of known
oncogenes; or (c) biologically-active oncogenes capable of transforming
NIH/3T3 or cultured hepatic cells.

3. The ability of the DNA of HBV-type viruses to serve as activators
(enhancers) of linked heterologous genes will be studied in cell culture
systems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175120
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037281-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KMH5K9V7S518
- **Principal Investigator:** HAROLD E. VARMUS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $101,579
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-03-01 → 1988-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175120

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175120, ONCOGENIC POTENTIAL OF THE HEPATITIS B-TYPE VIRUSES (5R01CA037281-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175120. Licensed CC0.

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