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Human oocytes express murine retroviral equivalents
B O Nilsson1, P O Kättström, P Sundström
1Department of Human Anatomy, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala, Sweden.
Virus Genes
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Unfertilized human oocytes show evidence of an active endogenous retrovirus genome, expressing specific proteins and virus-like particles. Early human embryo cleavage stages do not exhibit these retroviral markers.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Virology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are integrated into host genomes and can be expressed.
- Expression of ERV proteins in human oocytes is not well understood.
- gp70 is a retroviral envelope protein found in murine leukemia virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of retroviral products in human oocytes and early cleavage stages.
- To determine if human oocytes express gp70-related epitopes and virus-like particles.
- To analyze follicular fluids for retroviral antigens and enzymatic activity.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemical staining of human oocytes using monoclonal antibodies against gp70.
- Electron microscopy to detect virus-like particles.
- Biochemical assays on follicular fluids for p30 and gp70 antigens, reverse transcriptase, and interferon.
Main Results:
- Unfertilized human oocytes expressed a gp70-related epitope.
- Virus-like particles were observed on the surface of some oocytes.
- Follicular fluids contained p30 and gp70 antigens, reverse transcriptase, and increased interferon.
- gp70 epitope was absent in three- to four-cell human cleavage stages.
Conclusions:
- Human oocytes express products indicative of an active endogenous retrovirus genome.
- Early human cleavage stages lack these specific retroviral markers.
- These findings suggest a potential role for endogenous retroviruses in early human development.