Howard Temin was an American virologist who made groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of retroviruses and their role in cancer. His research, particularly the discovery of reverse transcriptase, revealed how retroviruses can integrate their genetic material into host DNA, which is crucial for understanding retroviral replication and pathogenesis.
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Howard Temin shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with David Baltimore and Renato Dulbecco for their work on the interactions between viruses and the genetic material of the cell.
His work on reverse transcriptase showed that retroviruses could convert RNA back into DNA, a process that fundamentally changed the understanding of molecular biology.
Temin's research provided key insights into how retroviruses can lead to cancer by integrating their genetic material into the host's genome, potentially activating oncogenes.
He proposed the 'provirus hypothesis,' suggesting that retroviral DNA could persist in a latent state within infected cells, which has implications for viral latency and persistence.
Temin was also a pioneer in studying the implications of viral infections on cellular transformation and tumorigenesis, influencing cancer research significantly.
Review Questions
How did Howard Temin's discovery of reverse transcriptase alter our understanding of virology?
Howard Temin's discovery of reverse transcriptase was pivotal because it revealed that retroviruses could transcribe their RNA into DNA, allowing them to integrate into the host genome. This finding shifted the paradigm of virology by illustrating that viral replication could involve reverse transcription, contrasting with the traditional DNA-to-RNA transcription pathway. This fundamentally changed how scientists approached viral mechanisms and opened new avenues for research into viral pathogenesis and cancer.
Discuss the implications of Temin's work on oncogenes and cancer research.
Temin's work highlighted how retroviruses can activate oncogenes by integrating their genetic material into host DNA, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. This connection between viral infections and cancer prompted further investigation into how various viruses might contribute to tumorigenesis. Consequently, his research laid essential groundwork for understanding not just retroviruses but also other viral mechanisms that lead to cancer development in humans.
Evaluate how Temin's 'provirus hypothesis' contributes to our current understanding of viral latency and persistence in host organisms.
Temin's 'provirus hypothesis' proposed that retroviral DNA could remain dormant within a host cell without producing new virions. This concept is crucial for understanding viral latency, as it explains how certain viruses can evade the immune system and persist in an organism over time. The hypothesis has led to significant advancements in therapeutic approaches aimed at targeting latent viral reservoirs, particularly in chronic infections like HIV, where effective management requires addressing both active and latent virus populations.
Related terms
Reverse Transcriptase: An enzyme used by retroviruses to convert their RNA genome into DNA, allowing integration into the host cell's genome.
Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer when mutated or expressed at high levels; often associated with viral integration into host DNA.
A type of virus that relies on RNA as its genetic material and replicates through reverse transcription, leading to the incorporation of viral DNA into the host genome.