Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
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’...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
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...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Collective enforcement of S-RNase-based self-incompatibility.

The New phytologist·2026
Same author

Identifying Key Questions and Challenges in Microchimerism Biology.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025
Same author

An ultra-long heavy chain bovine antibody neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and reacts broadly with sarbecoviruses.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

What's In a Name? Beyond Binaries of Sex and Gender.

Archives of sexual behavior·2025
Same author

Egg donation and gestational surrogacy: Pregnancy is riskier with an unrelated embryo.

Early human development·2024
Same author

Subjective and objective corruption of intuition and rational choice.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2024
Same journal

A global response contributes to tissue size robustness upon local induction of apoptosis.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Prebilaterian origin of monoaminergic signaling.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

CLASP-dependent microtubule stabilization generates microtubule-based protrusive forces during Drosophila epithelial morphogenesis.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Pigeons make slow, divergent eye movements during flight and large, convergent eye movements when landing.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Temperature signals drive grass secondary cell wall thickening.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Neuronal RNAi and oxygen-sensing circuit shape germline resilience to heat stress.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface
05:22

Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: December 30, 2025

Retroviruses and the placenta.

David Haig1

  • 1Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA. dhaig@oeb.harvard.edu

Current Biology : CB
|August 11, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Retroviruses integrated into host genomes have shaped placental evolution. These ancient viral elements were co-opted for fetal development, influencing maternal physiology and placental diversity.

More Related Videos

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
09:11

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons

Published on: August 23, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface
05:22

Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: December 30, 2025

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons
09:11

Zika Virus Infectious Cell Culture System and the In Vitro Prophylactic Effect of Interferons

Published on: August 23, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Retroviruses are frequently expressed in placental tissues across species.
  • Placental expression of retroviruses is hypothesized to facilitate mother-to-offspring and offspring-to-mother transmission.
  • This interaction has led to the integration and domestication of retroviral genes within the host genome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary role of retroviral elements in placental development and function.
  • To understand how domesticated retroviral genes contribute to host-fetal interactions.
  • To investigate the impact of retroviral-host interplay on placental diversity and genomic imprinting.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomic analysis of retroviral elements in placental mammals.
  • Investigation of retroviral gene expression patterns in placental tissues.
  • Analysis of the functional consequences of domesticated retroviral genes on maternal physiology.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests retroviral gene domestication has occurred, providing adaptive functions for the host.
  • Retroviral elements have influenced maternal physiology to benefit fetal development.
  • The evolutionary history of retroviruses correlates with mammalian placental diversity and genomic imprinting mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Retroviral domestication in the placenta represents a significant evolutionary force in mammalian reproduction.
  • The interplay between retroviruses and host defenses has driven key adaptations in placental mammals.
  • Understanding retroviral-placental interactions offers insights into the evolution of pregnancy and genome regulation.