Virus that causes leukemia uses key cellular proteins.

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is a human retrovirus that causes leukemia.  New research has helped to define exactly how the virus is able to take over normal cells.  The virus produces a protein (p30) that binds with several key cell regulators (ATM and REGγ).  ATM is involved in recognition of DNA damage and REGγ helps to control the destruction of unwanted proteins.  The interaction between the viral protein and the cellular proteins is thought to allow the cells to live, even though they are infected.