Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Polyomaviridae family. It was first discovered in 1960 from rhesus monkey kidney cells used to produce polio vaccines. The name "Simian virus 40" reflects its origin in non-human primates (“Simian”) and its 40th isolate in monkey kidney cells (“40”).
SV40 has a circular genome of approximately 5,200 base pairs, encoding both regulatory and structural proteins. It primarily infects mammalian species, particularly monkeys, but has also been found to infect humans, either through exposure to contaminated simian tissues or as a contaminant in certain vaccines.
In laboratory settings, SV40 has been commonly used as a research tool due to its ability to replicate efficiently in primate cells. Furthermore, its genome has been extensively studied and used as a model for understanding various aspects of viral replication, gene expression, and cellular transformation.
Significantly, SV40 has been associated with human diseases, including cancers. This virus has been detected in different human tumors, such as mesothelioma, brain, and bone cancers. However, the extent of SV40’s involvement in human cancer development remains a subject of scientific debate and investigation.
In summary, Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a small DNA virus derived from monkeys and found to infect humans. It has been extensively studied for its virological properties and has been associated with certain human cancers.
