The HERV-K human endogenous retrovirus envelope protein antagonizes Tetherin antiviral activity.

ABSTRACT:

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Endogenous retroviruses are the remnants of past retroviral infections that are scattered within mammalian genomes. In humans, most of these elements are old degenerate sequences that have lost their coding properties. The HERV-K(HML2) family is an exception: it recently amplified in the human genome and corresponds to the most active proviruses, with some intact open reading frames and the potential to encode viral particles. Here, using a reconstructed consensus element, we show that HERV-K(HML2) proviruses are able to inhibit Tetherin, a cellular restriction factor that is active against most enveloped viruses and acts by keeping the viral particles attached to the cell surface. More precisely, we identify the Envelope protein (Env) as the viral effector active agains

SUBMITTER: Lemaitre C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4248984 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature