HERV-K: the biologically most active human endogenous retrovirus family.

摘要: The human genome contains a wide variety of endogenous retrovirus-like sequences. retrovirus type K (HERV-K) family comprises 30-50 members per haploid in humans and is highly conserved Old World monkeys apes. Some proviruses are displaying open reading frames (ORF) with coding capacity for viral particles. HERV-K sequences most likely code the previously described teratocarcinoma-derived virus (HTDV) correlated expression Gag has been demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy studies. Protease, but not yet reverse transcriptase (RT), enzymatic activity was recombinant proteins. However, an ultrasensitive RT assay revealed specific polymerase associated HTDV transcription specifically regulated long terminal repeats RNA expressed at low steady-state levels tissues tumours. In teratocarcinoma cell lines, complex pattern showing full-length as well subgenomic envelope (env) two alternatively spliced small transcripts. doubly 1.8-kb mRNA codes cORF protein which resembles Rev HIV-1 located nucleolus. addition, sequence acts leader essential effective glycosylated Env protein. Although all necessary retroviral proteins, infectious particles could be demonstrated. putative implication HERV pathophysiological processes, example, testicular malignancies, remains to elucidated.