HTLV-1: The Fundamental Proteins for ATL

HTLV-1 is an enveloped delta retrovirus common in rural areas with neglected health care systems. About 10 million people are affected globally. It is most often diagnosed in areas near the equator. It is mostly spread through blood transfusions but can also be spread by breastfeeding and unprotected sex. Breastfeeding has an infection rate of only around 5%. Unprotected sex has the highest probability of resulting in HTLV-1 infection. While sharing needles will lead to infection, plasma and industrial blood products can not transmit the virus. It is the sole cause of ATL (Adult T-Cell Leukemia). Symptoms of ATL are swollen lymph nodes, enlarged livers and/or spleen, and rashes. To test for HTLV-1, doctors use: Enzyme Linked Immunoassay, Particle Agglutination Assay, Western Blotting, Immunofluorescence Assay, Radioimmunoprecipitation Assay, and PCR. The Western Blot test is the most commonly used test.. This cancer has a <50% survival rate as it is not curable yet. There are many proteins involved in this pathogenesis. Each of these proteins have their own unique way of contributing to leukemogenesis or the life cycle of the virus. Tax is a transactivator and can mutate cells, Rex is essential for early stages, regulates expression and carries important viral messages, HBZ encodes many necessary accessory genes and is key to leukemogenesis. Studying HTLV-1 is important because it can lead to treatments and cures for this cancer. This review is meant to focus on HTLV-1 genes Tax, Rex, and HBZ and other associated proteins that can play a role in leukemogenesis, specifically ATL, and T-Cell Dysfunction and discuss possible treatment options.