# ROLE OF RECOMBINANT RETROVIRUSES IN MURINE LEUKEMIA

> **NIH NIH R01** · SCRIPPS CLINIC AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION · 1987 · $149,355

## Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the role of recombinant
retroviruses in murine leukemia.  We will focus specifically on the
consequences of expression of an altered envelope glycoprotein (gp70) in
leukemic transformation.  Using antibody probes directed to chemically
synthesized peptides derived from the nucleotide sequence of a Moloney
virus-derived recombinant virus, we have detected specific expression of a
70,000 dalton glycoprotein on normal peanut agglutinin positive thymus
cells.  This gp70, termed 81-TAg, is not expressed by bone marrow or
splenic T-cells and thus defines a discrete differentiation antigen related
to a leukemogenic recombinant virus.  By using immunological markers, we
will define the 81-TAg positive cell population as precisely as possible
and try to determine if a correlation exists between this cell population
and the target cells for leukemic transformation by recombinant viruses.
We will also further characterize 81-TAg related molecules found in brain
and testes to determine their relationship to the thymic molecule.  Other
probes will be prepared to further dissect the repertoire of polymorphic
gp70s found in normal mouse tissues.  These include monoclonal antibodies
to endogenous gp70-related molecules as well as additional anti-synthetic
peptide antibodies directed to specific amino acid sequences.  We will use
these reagents to analyze the distribution of gp70-related molecules and
track progression of exogenous viral infection by methods including Western
blotting, immune precipitation, fluorescence activated cell sorting,
centrifugal elutriation, and tissue staining.  These studies will provide
valuable information regarding the role of recombinant retroviruses in
murine leukemia as well as to define possible roles for gp70-related
molecules in normal murine development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175688
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037830-03
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS CLINIC AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** John H Elder
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $149,355
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175688

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175688, ROLE OF RECOMBINANT RETROVIRUSES IN MURINE LEUKEMIA (5R01CA037830-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175688. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*