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Expression of human endogenous retrovirus K in melanomas and melanoma cell lines

Kristina Büscher1, Uwe Trefzer, Maja Hofmann

  • 1Robert Koch-Institute and Department of Dermatology, Campus Charité-Mitte, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Cancer Research
|May 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is expressed in melanoma, with viral proteins detected in tumors and antibodies found in patients. This suggests HERV-K involvement in melanoma development.

Area of Science:

  • Retroviruses
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is a family of retroviruses, with some maintaining complete coding potential.
  • Malignant melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with high mortality.
  • HERV-K expression is implicated in various cancers, including breast cancer and teratocarcinomas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of HERV-K in malignant melanoma.
  • To determine if HERV-K proteins and patient antibodies are present in melanoma tissues and cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Developed specific primers to differentiate HERV-K mRNA variants (full-length, spliced, deleted, undeleted).
  • Detected mRNA expression using RT-PCR.
  • Confirmed protein expression and presence of antibodies via immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analyses.

Main Results:

  • Full-length HERV-K mRNA was detected in all human cells studied.
  • Spliced HERV-K env and rec mRNA were found in teratocarcinoma cell lines, 45% of metastatic melanoma biopsies, and 44% of melanoma cell lines.
  • HERV-K viral proteins were expressed in primary melanomas, metastases, and melanoma cell lines.
  • For the first time, antibodies against HERV-K were detected in melanoma patients.

Conclusions:

  • Melanoma exhibits enhanced HERV-K expression, similar to teratocarcinomas and breast cancer.
  • HERV-K is the third tumor type, alongside teratocarcinomas and breast cancer, showing enhanced expression.
  • The presence of HERV-K proteins and patient antibodies suggests a potential role in melanoma pathogenesis.

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