title: Env gene expression of human endogenous retrovirus-k and human endogenous retrovirus-w in childhood acute leukemia cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The etiopathogenesis of childhood leukemia is not fully understood. It is suggested that endogenous viral sequences may play a role in leukemogenesis. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute about 8% of the human genome. Most HERVs are dysfunctional because of numerous mutations and deletions. Some HERVs, however, contain sequences capable of transcription. In patients with leukemia, the presence of antibodies against HERV-K has been identified, which could suggest increased expression of HERV-K in leukemic cells. To elucidate the role of endogenous retroviruses in leukemogenesis, studies were undertaken to assess env gene expression of HERV-K and HERV-W in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study was performed in 170 children with ALL, 38 subjects with AML, and 30 healthy subjects. Expression of the env gene of HERV-K and HERV-W and the control gene ACTB was studied by real-time PCR using specific oligonucleotide primers and SYBR Green marker. Env gene expression was assessed on the basis of the absolute threshold-Ct, as well as normalized against ACTB expression and double normalized expression relative to ACTB and reference cells - normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Env gene expression of HERV-K normalized against ACTB, as well as double normalized expression relative to ACTB and normal PBL, was significantly higher only in AML. There were no statistically significant differences in env gene expression of HERV-W normalized to ACTB in ALL and AML as compared to normal PBL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High normalized expression of the env gene of HERV-K in AML strongly suggests a possible contribution of this gene in the pathogenesis of AML.
authors: Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL–60-479 Poznan, Poland. janusz@man.poznan.pl
authors: Danuta
authors: D
authors: Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska
authors: Karina
authors: K
authors: Nowicka
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Rembowska
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Fichna
authors: Magda
authors: M
authors: Żurawek
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Derwich
authors: Jerzy
authors: J
authors: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D015686:Gene Products, env