Human Endogenous Retrovirus K and Cancer: Innocent Bystander or Tumorigenic Accomplice?

Overview

Journal Int J Cancer

Specialty Oncology

Date 2014 Jun 4

PMID 24890612

Citations 75

Authors

Ronan F Downey

Francis J Sullivan

Feng Wang-Johanning

Stefan Ambs

Francis J Giles

Sharon A Glynn

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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.

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