Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs) integrated in the human genome millions of years ago and became a stable part of the inherited genetic material. Most of these HERVs are dysfunctional due to numerous mutations and thus making it impossible to generate a full, infectious retrovirus particle from a single genetic locus. However, many HERVs are still exceptionally well preserved and maintain Open Reading Frames encoding functional viral proteins. The permanence of HERV´s genes along evolution suggests that these elements have proven beneficial to human survival. In this regard, the expression of certain HERV proteins is implicated in important physiological functions, such as placental development. Nevertheless, reactivation of HERVs has frequently been observed in a variety of human tumors suggesting their potential to contribute to malignant progression. Considering the role of HERVs in the carcinogenesis process, the purpose of this mini review is to deepen into HERVs expression and its possible implication in hemato-oncologic disease development.
Highlights
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic remnants of ancient retroviral infections of the germ line which occurred along primate evolution
The first clear association of HERV-K expression with human disease came from the discovery of HERV-K (HML-2) encoded viral particles observed to bud from germ cell tumors (GCTs) [39,40]
Consistent with that suggestion, Depil and colleagues found a relative overexpression of HERV-K gag sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from six out of eight leukemia samples, that included chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia (CLL) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), when compared with healthy PBMCs [53]
Summary
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic remnants of ancient retroviral infections of the germ line which occurred along primate evolution. Many HERVS express accesory proteins with potentially important cellular functions that may be relevant to disease development. The expression of certain HERV proteins is implicated in important physiological functions, such as placental development.
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