Oncogenic processes of ATL are complicated. Its two step model was first proposed, and this was soon improved by the three step model. According to the two step model, Tax activates expression of various genes and factors related to cell proliferation at the early stage, while in the next stage, HBZ moderates and suppresses the activities of Tax and plays the important role in ATL oncogenesis. In contrast, by the three step model, these two steps are redefined as the early and intermediate steps and the third final stage is added. In this three step model, additional events in host cells are thought to be critical to finalization of oncogenic processes in ATL. In both models, the key players of the first and second stages are Tax and HBZ, respectively.
Author(s) Details:
Mitsuru Sakitani,
Institute CCC, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2242, Japan.
