Abstract
Uninfected cells contain DNA sequences related to the genetic information of infectious retroviruses. In addition to these so-called ‘endogenous proviruses’, certain vertebrate cells contain gene families that are distinguished by several ‘retrovirus-like’ properties but are, nevertheless, unrelated to retroviruses (i.e., there is no nucleic acid homology with known retrovirus). The possible genetic origin of ‘retrovirus-like’ gene families and their potential biological significance are discussed. These issues were experimentally approached in our laboratory with a particular endogenous ‘retrovirus-like’ family, namely, the murine VL30 family. VL30 DNA elements are ubiquitous in murine cells where multiple copies are dispersed throughout the genome. The 30S RNA that is constitutively transcribed from these genes can be efficiently packaged in C-type virions and is capable of subsequent transmission to other cells via pseudovirion infection.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Recombinant DNA Research and Viruses: Cloning and Expression of Viral Genes |
| Editors | Yechiel Becker, Julia Hadar |
| Place of Publication | Boston, MA |
| Publisher | Springer US; Imprint: Springer |
| Pages | 205-220 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-4613-2565-9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1985 |