ERV3 human endogenous provirus mRNAs are expressed in normal and malignant tissues and cells, but not in choriocarcinoma tumor cells.
Messenger RNA expression of a human endogenous provirus, ERV3, has been characterized in 170 specimens of normal and malignant human tissues and cells. In contrast to the high expression in first-trimester and full-term placental chorionic villi, most other human tissues expressed ERV3 mRNAs at a level of 2-30% of placenta. However, ERV3 mRNAs were not detected in choriocarcinoma tumor cell lines. These studies suggest that the ERV3 provirus may have been preempted for a biological function and disruption of its mRNA expression results in choriocarcinoma.
Cohen
M
M
BRI Basic Research Program, National Cancer Institute Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Maryland 21701.
Kato
N
N
Larsson
E
E
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011247:Pregnancy; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral