Simian virus 40 large tumor antigen forms specific complexes with p53 and pRb in human brain tumors

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of simian virus 40 (SV40) early region gene coding product large tumor antigen (Tag) expression and the interaction between Tag and tumor suppressors p53 and pRb in human brain tumorigenesis. METHODS: Tag was investigated by immunoprecipitation followed by silver staining and Western blot in 65 cases of human brain tumors and 8 cases of normal brain tissues. Tag-p53 and Tag-pRb complexes were screened in 18 and 15 Tag positive tumor tissues, respectively. RESULTS: Tag was found in all 8 ependymomas and 2 choroid plexus papillomas, 90% of pituitary adenomas (9/10), 73% of astrocytomas (11/15), 70% of meningiomas (7/10), 50% of glioblastomas multiforme (4/8), 33% of medulloblastomas (2/6). 5 oligodendrogliomas, 1 pineocytoma, and 8 normal brain tissues were negative for Tag. Tag-p53 complex was detected in all 18 Tag positive tumors. Tag-pRb complex was found in all 15 Tag positive tumors. CONCLUSION: SV40 Tag is expressed in human brain tumors and can form specific complexes with tumor suppressors p53 and pRb. The inactivation of p53 and pRb due to the formation of Tag-p53 and Tag-pRb complexes may be an important mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of human brain tumors.