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Mystery of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1: Commentary on Two Viral Genes, Tax and HBZ

Mitsuaki Yoshida

Two viral genes of human T cell leukemia virus type 1, Tax and HBZ, are the focus of current research that aims to understand the oncogenic mechanisms of adult T cell leukemia, which is induced by viral infection. Tax is considered to play critical roles in tumorigenesis by modulating various cellular phenotypes, and the anti-sense gene HBZ was recently reported to counteract various functions of Tax. However, HBZ itself may also play critical roles in tumorigenesis. In this short commentary, I have summarized these apparent paradoxes and discussed the limitations of the mechanisms proposed. It will be critically important to understand the protein levels of HBZ in infected cells and the mode of action of its RNA.