Demystified. Human endogenous retroviruses

P N Nelson; P R Carnegie; J Martin; H Davari Ejtehadi; P Hooley; D Roden; S Rowland-Jones; P Warren; J Astley; P G Murray

doi:10.1136/mp.56.1.11

Demystified. Human endogenous retroviruses

Mol Pathol. 2003 Feb;56(1):11-8. doi: 10.1136/mp.56.1.11.

Authors

P N Nelson¹, P R Carnegie, J Martin, H Davari Ejtehadi, P Hooley, D Roden, S Rowland-Jones, P Warren, J Astley, P G Murray

Affiliation

¹ School of Applied Sciences, Division of Biomedical Science and Biosciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1SB, UK. P.N.Nelson@wlv.ac.uk

Abstract

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a family of viruses within our genome with similarities to present day exogenous retroviruses. HERVs have been inherited by successive generations and it is possible that some have conferred biological benefits. However, several HERVs have been implicated in certain cancers and autoimmune diseases. This article demystifies these retroviruses by providing an insight into HERVs, their means of classification, and a synopsis of HERVs implicated in cancer and autoimmunity. Furthermore, the biological roles of HERVs are explored.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Viral / immunology
Antigens, Viral / immunology
Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
Autoimmune Diseases / virology
Codon, Nonsense / genetics
DNA / genetics
DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
Drug Resistance, Viral / immunology
Endogenous Retroviruses / classification
Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics*
Endogenous Retroviruses / immunology
Genes, Viral / genetics
Genome, Human
Humans
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Neoplasms / genetics
Neoplasms / virology
Peptides / immunology
RNA, Messenger / genetics
Terminal Repeat Sequences / genetics
Transcription, Genetic

Substances

Antibodies, Viral
Antigens, Viral
Codon, Nonsense
DNA Transposable Elements
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Peptides
RNA, Messenger
DNA
CKS 17