title: Identification and classification of feline endogenous retroviruses in the cat genome using degenerate PCR and in silico data analysis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify and classify endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in the cat genome. Pooled DNA from five domestic cats was subjected to degenerate PCR with primers specific to the conserved retroviral pro/pol region. The 59 amplified retroviral sequences were used for in silico analysis of the cat genome (Felis_catus-6.2). We identified 219 ERV γ and β elements from cat genome contigs, which were classified into 42 ERV γ and 4 β families and further analysed. Among them, 99 γ and 5 β ERV elements contained the complete retroviral structure. Furthermore, we identified 757 spuma-like ERV elements based on the sequence homology to murine (Mu)ERV-L and human (H)ERV-L. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed genome-scale analysis examining Felis catus endogenous retroviruses (FcERV) and providing advanced insights into their structural characteristics, localization in the genome, and diversity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Haiin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Minkyeung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Hoi
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Han Geuk
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Yeoun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kunho
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chankyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017931:DNA Primers; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016678:Genome; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D015684:Gene Products, pol