Patrick Moore

Mechanisms for human virus-induced carcinogenesis

Photo of Faculty Member

Our lab is jointly managed by Patrick Moore and Yuan Chang.  We work mainly on two viruses that we discovered, a herpesvirus (KSHV, 1994) and a polyomavirus (MCV, 2008).   Ongoing studies on KSHV involve program frameshifting during the expression of the KSHV LANA oncoprotein that generate multiple unexpected protein isoforms.  The structure and functions of these proteins are unknown and so we are seeking to determine whether or not they contribute to KSHV carcinogenesis.  For MCV, we are searching to determine how an MCV protein called small T antigen targets cellular E3 ligases and the consequences of these interactions.   Our preliminary studies suggest that small T targeting of the Fbw7 E3 ligase may increase cellular and viral oncoprotein expression, leading to cancer cell proliferation.

 

 

Education

MD 1985, University of Utah
MPH 1990, University of California, Berkley


Postdoctoral Training

1986-1987, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
1987-1989, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta
1989-1991, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Fransisco

 

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
University of Pittsburgh
Hillman Cancer Research Pavilion, Suite 1.8
5117 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

E-mail: psm9@pitt.edu

Website: http://www.tumorvirology.pitt.edu/