Viral Antigens
Product List
HERV-K
Endogenous retrovirus K Envelope Human Recombinant
The E.Coli derived HERV-K recombinant truncated protein is fused to a Six histidine tag at C-terminus and has a MW of 51.5kDa (pI 9.06).
Introduction
Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K) is a family of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) that are remnants of ancient retroviral infections integrated into the human genome. HERV-K belongs to the Class II or Betaretrovirus-like supergroup . It is one of the most biologically active HERVs due to its possession of open reading frames (ORFs) for all Gag, Pol, and Env genes .
Key Biological Properties: HERV-K is characterized by its ability to encode functional retroviral proteins and produce retrovirus-like particles . It has been associated with various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders .
Expression Patterns: HERV-K transcription has been confirmed in a variety of diseases, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis .
Tissue Distribution: HERV-K is expressed in reproductive tissues, such as testes and ovaries, and has been detected in various tumor tissues .
Primary Biological Functions: HERV-K plays a role in gene regulation, embryonic development, and immune response regulation . It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders .
Role in Immune Responses: HERV-K envelope proteins can trigger both innate and adaptive immunity, prompting inflammatory, cytotoxic, and apoptotic reactions . They also have immunosuppressive properties and can act as immune downregulators .
Pathogen Recognition: HERV-K proteins can interact with other molecules and cells, influencing the immune response to pathogens .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: HERV-K proteins can bind to cellular receptors and modulate signaling pathways . For example, the HERV-K Env protein can induce abnormal cell-cell fusion, contributing to tumor development and metastasis .
Binding Partners: HERV-K proteins interact with various cellular proteins, influencing their activity and regulation .
Downstream Signaling Cascades: HERV-K proteins can activate downstream signaling pathways, leading to changes in gene expression and cellular behavior .
Transcriptional Regulation: HERV-K expression is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modification . These modifications can silence or activate HERV-K transcription depending on the cellular context .
Post-Translational Modifications: HERV-K proteins can undergo post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and glycosylation, which can influence their activity and stability .
Biomedical Research: HERV-K is used as a model to study the role of endogenous retroviruses in human health and disease . It provides insights into the mechanisms of retroviral integration and expression.
Diagnostic Tools: HERV-K expression patterns can serve as biomarkers for various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders .
Therapeutic Strategies: HERV-K proteins are potential targets for therapeutic interventions. For example, monoclonal antibodies directed against HERV-K Env proteins are being explored as treatments for multiple sclerosis and cancer .
Development: HERV-K is systematically transcribed during early human embryogenesis, starting from the eight-cell stage and continuing through the emergence of epiblast cells in preimplantation blastocysts . Its expression serves as a hallmark of cellular identity and potency in early human embryos .
Aging and Disease: HERV-K reactivation has been associated with various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders . It can influence cellular behavior and contribute to disease progression .
