The term "Rous sarcoma virus" refers to a retrovirus that causes tumors in birds. Its spelling is not intuitive, but can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Rous" is pronounced as /ruːs/, with a long "oo" vowel sound and a voiceless "s" consonant. "Sarcoma" is pronounced as /sɑrˈkoʊmə/, with emphasis on the second syllable and a silent "c". Finally, "virus" is pronounced as /ˈvaɪrəs/, with emphasis on the first syllable and a long "i" sound. Thus, the correct spelling of this term is important for accurate communication about this virus.
Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is a type of retrovirus that belongs to the family Retroviridae and is known to cause cancer in animals. It was first discovered by Peyton Rous in 1911 while studying a sarcoma (a type of cancer) in chickens. RSV is a small, enveloped virus that contains a single-stranded RNA genome.
One distinguishing characteristic of RSV is its ability to induce the formation of tumors, particularly sarcomas, in infected animals. The virus is mainly transmitted through cell-to-cell contact or by the injection of infected material, and it primarily affects avian species, particularly chickens. In experimental settings, RSV has been used extensively to study the mechanisms and processes involved in the development of cancer.
When RSV infects a host organism, the viral RNA genome is reverse transcribed into a DNA form that becomes integrated into the host cell's genome. This integration leads to the activation of specific host genes, which subsequently promote uncontrolled cell growth and division, ultimately resulting in the formation of tumors.
The discovery and study of Rous sarcoma virus have played a significant role in advancing our understanding of cancer causation and the oncogenic potential of retroviruses. Moreover, the development and investigation of RSV have also contributed to the development of important insights and therapeutic strategies for combating various forms of cancer.