Mason Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) is a type of retrovirus that belongs to the family of Retroviridae. It was first isolated in the 1960s from rhesus macaque monkeys used in vaccine production, specifically by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. MPMV is characterized as a simple retrovirus, which means it contains a genome with three main genes: gag, pol, and env.
The gag gene encodes the structural proteins that form the viral capsid, while the pol gene encodes enzymes involved in reverse transcription and integration of the viral genome into the host cellular DNA. The env gene, on the other hand, encodes the envelope glycoproteins responsible for viral entry into the host cells.
MPMV is known to primarily infect monkeys but can also be transmitted to humans under certain circumstances, such as accidental exposure in laboratory settings. However, it's important to note that MPMV is not considered a significant human pathogen and has not been linked to any specific diseases in humans.
Studying MPMV provides valuable insights into retroviral replication, host-virus interactions, and viral pathogenesis. It has contributed to our understanding of retrovirus biology and has been used as a model system to study various aspects of retroviral replication and oncogenesis in laboratory settings.
In summary, Mason Pfizer monkey virus is a retrovirus primarily found in monkeys, with limited significance as a human pathogen. Its study has provided valuable insights into retroviral biology and has been used as a model system in research.
