Structure of the Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposon capsid and the evolution of retroviruses.

ABSTRACT: Retroviruses evolved from long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons by acquisition of envelope functions, and subsequently reinvaded host genomes. Together, endogenous retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons represent major components of animal, plant, and fungal genomes. Sequences from these elements have been exapted to perform essential host functions, including placental development, synaptic communication, and transcriptional regulation. They encode a Gag polypeptide, the capsid domains of which can oligomerize to form a virus-like particle. The structures of retroviral capsids have been extensively described. They assemble an immature viral particle through oligomerization of full-length Gag. Proteolytic cleavage of Gag results in a mature, infectious particle. In contrast, the absen

SUBMITTER: Dodonova SO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6525542 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature