Simian Sarcoma Virus (SSV) is a type of retrovirus belonging to the retroviridae family, genus Sarcoma. It is primarily found in non-human primates, particularly in African green monkeys and macaques. Simian Sarcoma Virus is known to cause sarcomas, which are cancerous tumors originating from connective tissues such as bone, muscle, or blood vessels, in infected animals.
SSV possesses a single-stranded RNA genome, which it uses to synthesize the reverse transcriptase enzyme during its life cycle. This enzyme allows the virus to convert its RNA genome into DNA, leading to viral integration into the host cell's genome. Once integrated, the virus can manipulate the host cell's DNA replication machinery, leading to uncontrolled cell division and tumor formation.
Similar to other retroviruses, Simian Sarcoma Virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood or semen. It can also be transmitted vertically from an infected mother to her offspring via the placenta or during breastfeeding.
Clinical symptoms of Simian Sarcoma Virus infection usually include the development of visible tumors, which can appear as skin lesions or internal growths. However, SSV infection may initially be asymptomatic or cause non-specific symptoms. The disease progression and severity can vary between individuals and species.
Simian Sarcoma Virus has been extensively studied, not only due to its role in causing sarcomas in non-human primates but also due to its similarities with other retroviruses, such as Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1). Research on SSV can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of tumor formation, viral oncogenesis, and potential therapeutic targets for retroviral-associated cancers.
