Human endogenous retroviruses. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Human endogenous retroviruses.

Leukemia. 1988 Dec;2(12 Suppl):167S-177S. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/89069675
Hehlmann R; Brack-Werner R; Leib-Mosch C; Medizinische Poliklinik, Universitat Munchen.

Abstract: One of the unique features of retroviruses is their ability to integrate their genetic information in the genomes of their host cells, including the germ line, and to persist there as so-called proviruses. Proviruses which are contained in the germ line of a given species and are inherited from generation to generation like cellular genes are called endogenous retroviruses (for review see 1). Although the function or bioiological role of endogenous retroviruses still remains to be elucidated, they have been detected in almost all vertebrate species examined. The most relevant properties of endogenous, genetically transmitted retroviruses are summarized in Table 1. Endogenous retroviruses persist in cellular DNA, are transmitted through the germ line, and possess a transposon-like structure (2) which enables them to integrate at any position of the cellular genome. Endogenous retroviruses can be activated by certain chemicals such as mutagens/carcinogens or mitogens, by radiation, and by other mechanisms such as DNA-viruses or physiological processes (e.g. aging) to express antigens or to form infectious virus particles. Their biological relevance is unknown but may include involvement in physiological processes such as protection against superinfection by related retroviruses, similar to observations made with exogenous retroviruses in some animal model systems.
Keywords: Blotting, Southern DNA, Neoplasm/ANALYSIS DNA, Viral/ANALYSIS Genes, Viral Human Neoplasms/*ETIOLOGY/GENETICS/MICROBIOLOGY Oncogenes Proviruses *Retroviridae/GENETICS/PHYSIOLOGY Sarcoma Viruses, Simian/GENETICS/PHYSIOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDblotting,southerndna,neoplasm/analysisdna,viral/analysisgenes,viralhumanneoplasms/KWDetiology/genetics/microbiologyoncogenesprovirusesKWDretroviridae/genetics/physiologysarcomaviruses,simian/genetics/physiologyjournalarticle
890330
M8930104

Copyright © 1989 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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