How does a Virus cause Cancer?

[Navin]

Cancer occurs when there is a mutation in the DNA of a cell leading to oncogenes or even loss of function of tumor supressive genes.

However, I am unclear how a virus may cause cancer.

I think that it has got to do something with the lysogenic cycles of certain viruses because it is only during that cycle where the virus' genome is integrated into that of the host cell.

Am i close to the answer or am i totally straying from it?

[victor]

remember how a virus' genetic material get intergrated with host's DNA?? that's how the mutation on host occur to be oncogenic..

[Navin]

is it a form of frameshift mutation?

[victor]

Yup...insertion of viral genetic material cause a frameshift mutation in host cell's DNA..

[tjaymac]

Any idea where i can find one of those cancer causing viruses?

I am doing this project on eradication of tumor cells by use of red light, so i need to initiate cancer in mice...

[sdekivit]

human papilloma virus (HPV) is a famous cancer-causing virus.

[victor]

there're Papilomavirus, Hepadnavirus, Herpesvirus, Poxvirus and Retrovirus. (well, those're what I can remember.. )

[tjaymac]

Thanks fellas for the info...like it had skipped me...i was looking for some much more complex stuff/ways to initiate the cancer.....Plis do visit my forum "Project X" under Cell biology