SV40 T Ag Inhibitors

Simian Virus 40 (SV40) is a polyomavirus originally discovered in monkey kidney cells, and its T antigen (T Ag) has been extensively studied due to its ability to induce cellular transformation and its involvement in viral replication. The SV40 T Ag is a multifunctional protein that plays a central role in the viral life cycle and has the capability to perturb the normal regulatory mechanisms of host cells. One of the primary mechanisms by which the T Ag exerts its influence is through its interaction with cellular proteins, most notably the tumor suppressors p53 and members of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein family. By binding to these proteins, T Ag disrupts their normal tumor-suppressive functions, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation, a hallmark of transformation.

SV40 T Ag inhibitors are chemical compounds specifically designed to obstruct the activities of the SV40 T antigen. These inhibitors can work through various mechanisms, such as preventing the binding of T Ag to its cellular targets like p53 or Rb, inhibiting its ATPase activity, or blocking its helicase function, which is crucial for viral DNA replication.