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Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
Transactivation of Human Endogenous Retroviruses by Viruses
Erin F Evans1, Ananya Saraph1, Maria Tokuyama1
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Abstract:
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that are part the human genome and are normally silenced through epigenetic mechanisms. However, HERVs can be induced by various host and environmental factors, including viral infection, and transcriptionally active HERVs have been implicated in various physiological processes. In this review, we summarize mounting evidence of transactivation of HERVs by a wide range of DNA and RNA viruses. Though a mechanistic understanding of this phenomenon and the biological implications are still largely missing, the link between exogenous and endogenous viruses is intriguing. Considering the increasing recognition of the role of viral infections in disease, understanding these interactions provides novel insights into human health.
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