Summary of work Quackenbush has worked with both
gammaretrovirus (feline leukemia virus) and
epsilonretrovirus (walleye dermal sarcoma virus) extensively. Gammaretroviruses are single stranded RNA viruses that are present in the genome of vertebrates including reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. Epsilonretroviruses are viruses that infect fish, and have a single stranded RNA genome. Retroviruses within these genera cause disease by containing RNA sequences that code for proteins that promote oncogenesis which leads to sarcomas and leukemias. Through her work with two genera of retroviruses, Quackenbush determined mutations to Gammaretrovirus (feline leukemia virus) makes them less lethal, and Epsilretrovirus (walleye dermal sarcoma virus) contains sequences that encode for cyclin proteins, leading to the proliferation of normal cells and eventually giving a means for cancer cells to become abundant
Most recent publication The most recent published study Quackenbush was involved in was the study of walleye dermal sarcoma virus. This research investigated the role of retroviral cyclin (RV-cyclin) in sarcoma progression in walleyes as a comparable study to human cancer. It was determined that the RV-cyclin bound to
cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and increased its activity. The genes IEGs are normally stimulated for transcription by cyclin C with an up regulation in CDK8 IEGs are expressed at a higher rate for a period of time. Since IEGs encode for cell proliferation a mutation in the CDK8 could lead to dermal sarcoma. This investigation determined the mechanism behind retrovirus-induced oncogenesis caused by walleye dermal sarcoma virus. These implications would later be used to determine other retroviral-induced oncogenesis in human cancers.
Current research Quackenbush has current laboratory research focusing on viral-induced oncogenesis, in fish
retroviruses. Studies investigate how a virus (walleye dermal sarcoma virus) is involved in the introduction of
sarcomas. Her lab is trying to determine the mode by which
transcription,
apoptosis, and
transduction are controlled by viral regulatory proteins such as kinases. Studies focus on the walleye dermal sarcoma virus and inducing
sarcomas. ==Publications==