An endogenous retrovirus derived from human melanoma cells.
We show that human melanoma cells produce retrovirus-like particles that exhibit reverse transcriptase activity, package sequences homologous to human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K), and contain mature forms of the Gag and Env proteins. We also demonstrate expression of the pol gene and of Gag, Env, and Rec proteins in human melanomas and metastases but not in melanocytes or normal lymph nodes. The data suggest that expression of retroviral genes and production of retroviral particles is activated during development of melanoma.
Muster
Thomas
T
Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria.
Waltenberger
Andrea
A
Grassauer
Andreas
A
Hirschl
Sonja
S
Caucig
Peri
P
Romirer
Ingrid
I
Födinger
Dagmar
D
Seppele
Heide
H
Schanab
Oliver
O
Magin-Lachmann
Christine
C
Löwer
Roswitha
R
Jansen
Burkhard
B
Pehamberger
Hubert
H
Wolff
Klaus
K
D001483:Base Sequence; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary / Q000821:virology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary / Q000821:virology
D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015684:Gene Products, pol