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HERV-K(HML-2), the Best Preserved Family of HERVs: Endogenization, Expression, and Implications in Health and Disease
- Source :
- Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers in Oncology, Vol 3 (2013)
- Publication Year :
- 2013
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media S.A., 2013.
-
Abstract
- Retroviruses that have the ability to infect germ line cells can become an integral and inherited part of the host genome. About 8% of the human chromosomal DNA consists of sequences derived from infections by retroviruses that presumably circulated 2–40 millions of years ago, and some elements are actually much older. Post-insertional recombinations, deletions, and mutations have rendered all known human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) non-infectious. However some, particularly the most recently acquired proviruses of the HERV-K(HML-2) family, can expresses viral proteins and produce viral particles. In this review we will first discuss the major aspects of the endogenization process and peculiarities of the different HERV-K families. We will then focus on the genes and proteins encoded by HERV-K(HML-2) as well as inactivation of these proviruses by postinsertional mutations and their inhibition by antiretroviral factors. After describing the evolutionary interplay between host and endogenous retrovirus we will delve deeper into the currently limited understanding of HERV-K and its possible association with disease, particularly tumorigenesis.
- Subjects :
- Genetics
Cancer Research
Host genome
replication
Rec
Human endogenous retrovirus
viruses
Endogenous retrovirus
Disease
Review Article
Biology
medicine.disease_cause
lcsh:Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
lcsh:RC254-282
Germline
human endogenous retrovirus
HERV-K
Oncology
medicine
cancer
Chromosomal dna
Carcinogenesis
Gene
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2234943X
- Volume :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Oncology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a0fe8c8b6f04771657c3b2f0c1e0ef1d