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Expression patterns of transcribed human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K(HML-2) loci in human tissues and the need for a HERV Transcriptome Project. 2008

Aline Flockerzi, and Alessia Ruggieri, and Oliver Frank, and Marlies Sauter, and Esther Maldener, and Bernd Kopper, and Bernd Wullich, and Wolfgang Seifarth, and Nikolaus Müller-Lantzsch, and Christine Leib-Mösch, and Eckart Meese, and Jens Mayer
Department of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany. aline.flockerzi@uniklinik-saarland.de

BACKGROUND A significant proportion of the human genome is comprised of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). HERV transcripts are found in every human tissue. Expression of proviruses of the HERV-K(HML-2) family has been associated with development of human tumors, in particular germ cell tumors (GCT). Very little is known about transcriptional activity of individual HML-2 loci in human tissues, though. RESULTS By employing private nucleotide differences between loci, we assigned approximately 1500 HML-2 cDNAs to individual HML-2 loci, identifying, in total, 23 transcriptionally active HML-2 proviruses. Several loci are active in various human tissue types. Transcription levels of some HML-2 loci appear higher than those of other loci. Several HML-2 Rec-encoding loci are expressed in GCT and non-GCT tissues. A provirus on chromosome 22q11.21 appears strongly upregulated in pathologic GCT tissues and may explain high HML-2 Gag protein levels in GCTs. Presence of Gag and Env antibodies in GCT patients is not correlated with activation of individual loci. HML-2 proviruses previously reported capable of forming an infectious HML-2 variant are transcriptionally active in germ cell tissue. Our study furthermore shows that Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) data are insufficient to describe transcriptional activity of HML-2 and other HERV loci in tissues of interest. CONCLUSIONS Our, to date, largest-scale study reveals in greater detail expression patterns of individual HML-2 loci in human tissues of clinical interest. Moreover, large-scale, specialized studies are indicated to better comprehend transcriptional activity and regulation of HERVs. We thus emphasize the need for a specialized HERV Transcriptome Project.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009373 Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal Neoplasms composed of primordial GERM CELLS of embryonic GONADS or of elements of the germ layers of the EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. The concept does not refer to neoplasms located in the gonads or present in an embryo or FETUS. Germ Cell Cancer,Germ Cell Tumor,Neoplasms, Embryonal and Mixed,Cancer, Embryonal,Cancer, Embryonal and Mixed,Embryonal Neoplasms,Germ Cell Neoplasms,Germ Cell and Embryonal Neoplasms,Germ Cell and Embryonic Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Embryonal,Neoplasms, Germ Cell,Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonic,Cancer, Germ Cell,Cancers, Embryonal,Cancers, Germ Cell,Embryonal Cancer,Embryonal Cancers,Embryonal Neoplasm,Germ Cell Cancers,Germ Cell Tumors,Neoplasm, Embryonal,Tumor, Germ Cell,Tumors, Germ Cell
D011533 Proviruses Duplex DNA sequences in eukaryotic chromosomes, corresponding to the genome of a virus, that are transmitted from one cell generation to the next without causing lysis of the host. Proviruses are often associated with neoplastic cell transformation and are key features of retrovirus biology. Provirus
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D001940 Breast In humans, one of the paired regions in the anterior portion of the THORAX. The breasts consist of the MAMMARY GLANDS, the SKIN, the MUSCLES, the ADIPOSE TISSUE, and the CONNECTIVE TISSUES. Breasts
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001483 Base Sequence The sequence of PURINES and PYRIMIDINES in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide sequence. DNA Sequence,Nucleotide Sequence,RNA Sequence,DNA Sequences,Base Sequences,Nucleotide Sequences,RNA Sequences,Sequence, Base,Sequence, DNA,Sequence, Nucleotide,Sequence, RNA,Sequences, Base,Sequences, DNA,Sequences, Nucleotide,Sequences, RNA
D014759 Viral Envelope Proteins Integral membrane proteins that are incorporated into the VIRAL ENVELOPE. They are glycosylated during VIRAL ASSEMBLY. Envelope Proteins, Viral,Viral Envelope Glycoproteins,Viral Envelope Protein,Virus Envelope Protein,Virus Peplomer Proteins,Bovine Leukemia Virus Glycoprotein gp51,Hepatitis Virus (MHV) Glycoprotein E2,LaCrosse Virus Envelope Glycoprotein G1,Simian Sarcoma Virus Glycoprotein 70,Viral Envelope Glycoprotein gPr90 (Murine Leukemia Virus),Viral Envelope Glycoprotein gp55 (Friend Virus),Viral Envelope Proteins E1,Viral Envelope Proteins E2,Viral Envelope Proteins gp52,Viral Envelope Proteins gp70,Virus Envelope Proteins,Envelope Glycoproteins, Viral,Envelope Protein, Viral,Envelope Protein, Virus,Envelope Proteins, Virus,Glycoproteins, Viral Envelope,Peplomer Proteins, Virus,Protein, Viral Envelope,Protein, Virus Envelope,Proteins, Viral Envelope,Proteins, Virus Envelope,Proteins, Virus Peplomer
D015894 Genome, Human The complete genetic complement contained in the DNA of a set of CHROMOSOMES in a HUMAN. The length of the human genome is about 3 billion base pairs. Human Genome,Genomes, Human,Human Genomes
D015972 Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene action in neoplastic tissue. Neoplastic Gene Expression Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression, Neoplastic,Regulation, Gene Expression, Neoplastic

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