Joel Rovnak

The primary intent of my research is the characterization of molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, particularly where these mechanisms involve viral control of transcription and splicing. Current work is focused on functional analyses of an oncoprotein encoded by walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV), and has lead directly to analyses of protein-protein interactions with cellular transcriptional coactivators in preinitiation complexes. This viral protein is able to differentially regulate host transcription through mechanisms in common with a number of viral oncogenes. Although this research is largely grounded in the current dermal sarcoma model, full investigation of the molecular mechanisms will extend beyond the scope of this virus to include the Tax proteins of bovine and human leukemia viruses, and DNA tumor virus proteins: SV40 Tumor antigens, adenovirus E1A/E1B, and papillomavirus E6/E7.