Human endogenous retrovirus K and cancer: Innocent bystander or tumorigenic accomplice?

Harbored as relics of ancient germline infections, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) now constitute up to 8% of our genome. A proportion of this sequence has been co‐opted for molecular and cellular processes, beneficial to human physiology, such as the fusogenic activity of the envelope protein...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of cancer 2015-09, Vol.137 (6), p.1249-1257
Main Authors: Downey, Ronan F., Sullivan, Francis J., Wang‐Johanning, Feng, Ambs, Stefan, Giles, Francis J., Glynn, Sharon A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
breast cancer
Cancer
carcinogenesis
Carcinogenesis - genetics
Env
Gag
HERV‐K
HERV‐K activation
human endogenous retrovirus
Human endogenous retrovirus K
Humans
immunomodulation
Medical research
melanoma
Neoplasms - etiology
Neoplasms - genetics
Neoplasms - virology
Np9
oncogenesis
prostate cancer
Rec
Retroviridae - genetics
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Viral - genetics
Tumorigenesis
Viral infections
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Summary:Harbored as relics of ancient germline infections, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) now constitute up to 8% of our genome. A proportion of this sequence has been co‐opted for molecular and cellular processes, beneficial to human physiology, such as the fusogenic activity of the envelope protein, a vital component of placentogenesis. However, the discovery of high levels of HERV‐K mRNA and protein and even virions in a wide array of cancers has revealed that HERV‐K may be playing a more sinister role—a role as an etiological agent in cancer itself. Whether the presence of this retroviral material is simply an epiphenomenon, or an actual causative factor, is a hotly debated topic. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding HERV‐K and cancer and attempt to outline the potential mechanisms by which HERV‐K could be involved in the onset and promotion of carcinogenesis.
ISSN:0020-7136
1097-0215
DOI:10.1002/ijc.29003