Human endogenous retrovirus family HERV-K(HML-5): Status, evolution, and reconstruction of an ancient betaretrovirus in the human genome

Lavie, Laurence (author)

Medstrand, Patrik (author): Lund University,Lunds universitet,Institutionen för experimentell medicinsk vetenskap,Medicinska fakulteten,Department of Experimental Medical Science,Faculty of Medicine

Schempp, Werner (author)

Meese, Eckart (author)

Mayer, Jens (author)

(creator_code:org_t)

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Abstract Subject headings

The human genome harbors numerous distinct families of so-called human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) which are remnants of exogenous retroviruses that entered the germ line millions of years ago. We describe here the hitherto little-characterized betaretrovirus HERV-K(HML-5) family (named HERVK22 in Repbase) in greater detail. Out of 139 proviruses, only a few loci represent full-length proviruses, and many lack gag protease and/or env gene regions. We generated a consensus sequence from multiple alignment of 62 HML-5 loci that displays open reading frames for the four major retroviral proteins. Four HML-5 long terminal repeat (LTR) subfamilies were identified that are associated with monophyletic proviral bodies, implying different evolution of HML-5 LTRs and genes. Sequence analysis indicated that the proviruses formed approximately 55 million years ago. Accordingly, HML-5 proviral sequences were detected in Old World and New World primates but not in prosimians. No recent activity is associated with this HERV family. We also conclude that the HML-5 consensus sequence primer binding site is identical to methionine tRNA. Therefore, the family should be designated HERV-M. Our study provides important insights into the structure and evolution of the oldest betaretrovirus in the primate genome known to date.

By the author/editor: Lavie, Laurence; Medstrand, Patri ...; Schempp, Werner; Meese, Eckart; Mayer, Jens

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Biological Scien ...; and Developmental Bi ...

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