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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Imaging of HIV-1 Envelope-induced Virological Synapse and Signaling on Synthetic Lipid Bilayers
Published on: March 8, 2012
[Envelope capture by retroviruses]
Felix J Kim1, Nicolas Manel, Jean-Luc Battini
1Institut de Génétique moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM), CNRS-UMR5535, IFR122 et Université de Montpellier II, 1919, route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier 05, France. kim@mskcc.org
Abstract:
Retroelement transposition is a major source of diversity in genome evolution. Among the retrotransposable elements, the retroviruses are distinct in that their "transposition" extends from their initial host cells to neighboring cells and organisms. A determining step in the conversion of a retrotransposable element into an infectious retrovirus is the acquisition of an envelope glycoprotein, designated Env. Here, we review some examples of envelope "capture" by mammal retroviruses and provide evidence for such a mechanism by HTLV. This phenomenon may explain the notable conservation of env genes observed between phylogenetically distant retroviruses. Elucidation of these recombination processes should help to clarify retroviral phylogeny, better understand retroviral pathogenesis, and may lead to the identification of new retroelements.
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