Expression changes of bovine leukaemia virus genes under the impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors - geldanamycin and tyrphostin

The purpose of this study was the examination of the impact of geldanamycin and tyrphostin on gene expression of bovine leukemia virus genes in the FLK (foetal lamb kidney) cell line permanently infected with bovine leukaemia virus ( BLV). The study was performed using RT-PCR method. Both agents increased BLV gene expression, especially tax/rex product and truncated mRNA of the rex gene. They also tended to stimulate the full-length copy v irus expression. In only a minimal degree, they also increased the R III and G IV regulatory gene expression, while only geldanamycin increased the expression o f the common RIII/G IV transcript.