Transmission, Evolution, and Endogenization: Lessons Learned from Recent Retroviral Invasions.

ABSTRACT: Viruses of the subfamily Orthoretrovirinae are defined by the ability to reverse transcribe an RNA genome into DNA that integrates into the host cell genome during the intracellular virus life cycle. Exogenous retroviruses (XRVs) are horizontally transmitted between host individuals, with disease outcome depending on interactions between the retrovirus and the host organism. When retroviruses infect germ line cells of the host, they may become endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), which are permanent elements in the host germ line that are subject to vertical transmission. These ERVs sometimes remain infectious and can themselves give rise to XRVs. This review integrates recent developments in the phylogenetic classification of retroviruses and the identification of retroviral receptors to eluci

SUBMITTER: Greenwood AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5813887 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature