The spelling of the term "Abelson Leukemia Virus" can be intimidating due to its scientific nature. However, breaking it down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can make it easier to understand. The first component, "Abelson," is pronounced as /ˈæbəlsən/. The term "Leukemia" is pronounced as /luːˈkiːmiə/. Finally, "Virus" is pronounced as /ˈvaɪrəs/. Putting it all together, "Abelson Leukemia Virus" is pronounced as /ˈæbəlsən luːˈkiːmiə ˈvaɪrəs/.
Abelson Leukemia Virus (ALV) is a type of retrovirus that can cause leukemia or cancer of the white blood cells. It belongs to the family of viruses known as oncoviruses, which have the ability to transform normal cells into cancerous cells by inserting their genetic material into the host cell's DNA.
ALV was first discovered by Dr. Michael Potter and Dr. Charlotte Friend in the 1960s while studying cancer in mice. The virus was named after Dr. Howard M. Temin's mentor, Dr. Philip Leder, who suggested the name Abelson after Dr. Michael S. Abelson, a prominent cancer researcher.
ALV primarily infects certain blood cells called B lymphocytes, leading to their uncontrolled proliferation and development into leukemia. The virus carries a gene known as v-abl, which encodes for a protein called tyrosine kinase. This protein disrupts the normal signaling pathways within the cell, causing abnormal growth and division.
ALV is transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva. It primarily affects mice and is commonly used as a model system for studying leukemia in laboratory research. However, ALV has been found to cause natural cases of leukemia in certain strains of mice.
Understanding the mechanisms of ALV infection and its interactions within host cells has provided significant insights into the development of leukemia and has paved the way for the discovery of targeted therapies to treat this deadly disease.