Mark Cannon, M.D., PhD

Assistant Professor
Division of infectious Diseases & International Medicine
Department of Medicine

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common AIDS-associated malignancy worldwide and is a major source of morbidity and mortality in large areas of central and southern Africa. Although many investigators had long postulated that KS is caused by an infectious agent, it wasn't until 1994 that Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) was finally discovered. Since then much has been learned about this virus but many questions remain regarding the transmission of KSHV and how chronic infection leads to malignancy when normal immune system function is perturbed. Our laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms by which KSHV dysregulates normal cell signaling to change the growth and migration properties of endothelial cells and lymphocytes. Understanding the details of these molecular events will aid the design of medications to inhibit the cancer-causing effects of this virus.

Selected publications:

Cannon, M., Cesarman, E. & Boshoff, C. KSHV G protein-coupled receptor inhibits lytic gene transcription in primary-effusion lymphoma cells via p21-mediated inhibition of Cdk2. Blood 107, 277-84 (2006).

Cannon, M.L. & Cesarman, E. The KSHV G protein-coupled receptor signals via multiple pathways to induce transcription factor activation in primary effusion lymphoma cells. Oncogene 23, 514-23 (2004).

Cannon, M., Philpott, N.J. & Cesarman, E. The Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus G Protein-Coupled Receptor Has Broad Signaling Effects in Primary Effusion Lymphoma Cells. J Virol 77, 57-67 (2003).

Other links

http://www.med.umn.edu/idim/faculty/fumc/home.html
http://www.virology.umn.edu/virology/Investigators/VIRO_Mark_Cannon.html