Chromosomal assignment of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) env open reading frames.
The haploid human genome contains at least one human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) env gene displaying an open reading frame, as evidenced by the high antibody titers against HERV-K Env in germ cell tumor patients at the time of tumor detection. However, the chromosomal assignment of an intact HERV-K env sequence is complicated by the existence of 25-30 HERV-K copies per haploid human genome. Recently, we reported the application of the protein truncation test (PTT) to chromosomally assign HERV-K gag open reading frames. Here, we set out to determine the chromosomal distribution of full-length HERV-K env genes. As demonstrated by somatic hybrid mapping and the PTT, HERV-K env open reading frames were found on human chromosomes 7, 19, and Y. By sequencing chromosome-specific HERV-K env subregions, we assigned two recently reported intact HERV-K sequences on human chromosomes 7 and 19, respectively. Chromosomes 7 and 19 and the Y are furthermore candidates for harboring a putative completely intact HERV-K locus.
Mayer
J
J
Abt. Virologie, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Meese
E
E
Mueller-Lantzsch
N
N
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19; D002897:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics*; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000235:genetics; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014998:Y Chromosome
D015686:Gene Products, env