Elevated levels of the endogenous retrovirus ERV3 in human sebaceous glands.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Elevated levels of the endogenous retrovirus ERV3 in human sebaceous glands.

J Invest Dermatol. 1996 Jan;106(1):125-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96154069
Andersson AC; Merza M; Venables P; Ponten F; Sundstrom J; Cohen M; Larsson E; Department of Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.

Abstract: ERV3 (HERV-R) is a complete human endogenous retrovirus located on the long arm of chromosome 7. Long terminal repeat-envelope (env) gene spliced mRNAs of 9 and 3.5 kb are widely expressed in human tissues and cells, but gag-pol mRNAs have not been found. Furthermore, the env gp70 gene contains an open reading frame throughout its length. The highest expression of ERV3 mRNA detected so far is in placenta and the lowest in choriocarcinoma cell lines. We have previously shown that the human monoblastic cell line U-937 and some normal and neoplastic tissues also express high levels of ERV3 env message by Northern blot analysis; however, this method does not distinguish between mRNA expression in different cell types in tissues. In this report, we have studied the ERV3 mRNA expression in specific cell types of human skin by in situ hybridization. We found high levels expression of ERV3 env mRNA in human sebaceous glands in normal skin and dermoid cysts of the ovary. In all glands, the expression is maximal in the periphery of the lobule and ceases towards the center in the region of characteristic holocrine secretion. Since it is known that the regulation of sebaceous glands is primarily via steroid hormones, particularly androgens, it is possible that expression of ERV3 is hormone dependent.

Keywords: Adolescence Adult Aged Child Chromosome Mapping Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 Comparative Study Dermoid Cyst/METABOLISM Female Genes, env Human In Situ Hybridization Infant Male Middle Age Ovarian Neoplasms/METABOLISM Ovary/METABOLISM Pregnancy Retroviridae/GENETICS/*ISOLATION & PURIF RNA, Messenger/METABOLISM RNA, Viral/METABOLISM Sebaceous Glands/*VIROLOGY Skin/METABOLISM Support, Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLE

960630
M9660749

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1996. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .