Anti-Protein Tax-1 antibody [1A3]

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Protein Tax-1 also known as Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type I (HTLV-1) Tax protein is a regulatory protein with significant molecular mechanics. This protein has a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa. It is primarily expressed in human T-cells infected with HTLV-1. Protein Tax-1 plays an important role in regulating the transcription of viral and cellular genes acting as a potent transactivator. Its expression occurs predominantly in the nucleus of HTLV-1 infected cells where it initiates the transcription of viral genes necessary for replication.

Biological function summary

Protein Tax-1 acts as a multifunctional protein involved in numerous cellular processes. It forms part of transcriptional complexes that modulate the activities of several cellular signaling pathways. These complexes comprised of Tax-1 and various host cell proteins help the virus escape immune surveillance while promoting proliferation of infected cells. Protein Tax-1's interaction with NF-kB and its ability to activate this transcription factor is central to its biological function leading to increased expression of genes involved in cell survival and proliferation.

Pathways

Protein Tax-1 significantly alters key signaling cascades within the cell. It prominently impacts the NF-kB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. By interacting with cellular proteins like PI3K and IKK Tax-1 enhances cellular responses to mitogenic signals contributing to cell transformation and survival. The integration of Tax-1 into these pathways results in persistent activation of survival mechanisms which is pivotal in the progression of cellular abnormalities associated with viral infection.

Associated diseases and disorders

Protein Tax-1 is tightly linked to various pathologies notably adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). HTLV-1 infection and subsequent expression of the Tax-1 protein facilitate the clonal proliferation of T-cells resulting in oncogenesis. Besides ATLL Protein Tax-1 associates with the development of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP) a neurodegenerative disorder. The dysregulation of NF-kB pathways by Tax-1 and its interaction with cellular proteins such as CREB drive the inflammatory response observed in these diseases.