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Related Concept Videos

Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...

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Related Experiment Video

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Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
13:19

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer

Published on: November 2, 2013

Human-specific endogenous retroviruses.

Anton Buzdin1

  • 1Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow 117871, Russia. anton@humgen.siobc.ras.ru

Thescientificworldjournal
|December 7, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human-specific repetitive elements introduced viral genes and regulatory elements into our DNA. These genomic changes impact immune response, cancer, and host defense, offering insights into human evolution.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Human DNA contains a unique family of 134 repetitive elements.
  • These elements occupy approximately 330 kb and are human-specific.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of human-specific genomic repetitive elements on human DNA.
  • To analyze the functional implications of endogenized viral genes and regulatory elements.
  • To present a comprehensive database of these elements.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of human genomic sequences.
  • Review of existing literature on repetitive elements and endogenous retroviruses.
  • In vivo assays to confirm promoter activity.
  • Database compilation and characterization.

Main Results:

  • Endogenization of ~50 functional viral gene copies influencing immune response, cancer, and host defense.
  • Addition of 134 potential promoters and enhancers, with 60 confirmed active in vivo.
  • Introduction of new polyadenylation signals and antisense regulators.
  • Identification of significant differences between human and chimpanzee DNA.

Conclusions:

  • Human-specific repetitive elements have significantly altered human genome activity and function.
  • These elements contribute to human uniqueness and have implications for health and disease.
  • A downloadable database provides a resource for further research.