A novel endogenous betaretrovirus group characterized from polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Item Type:	Article
Title:	A novel endogenous betaretrovirus group characterized from polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Creators Name:	Mayer, J. and Tsangaras, K. and Heeger, F. and Avila-Arcos, M. and Stenglein, M.D. and Chen, W. and Sun, W. and Mazzoni, C.J. and Osterrieder, N. and Greenwood, A.D.
Abstract:	Transcriptome analysis of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) yielded sequences with highest similarity to the human endogenous retrovirus group HERV-K(HML-2). Further analysis of the polar bear draft genome identified an endogenous betaretrovirus group comprising 26 proviral copies and 231 solo LTRs. Molecular dating indicates the group originated before the divergence of bears from a common ancestor but is not present in all carnivores. Closely related sequences were identified in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and characterized from its genome. We have designated the polar bear and giant panda sequences U. maritimus endogenous retrovirus (UmaERV) and A. melanoleuca endogenous retrovirus (AmeERV), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the bear virus group is nested within the HERV-K supergroup among bovine and bat endogenous retroviruses suggesting a complex evolutionary history within the HERV-K group. All individual remnants of proviral sequences contain numerous frameshifts and stop codons and thus, the virus is likely non-infectious.
Keywords:	Giant Panda, Endogenous Retrovirus, Genomics, Animals, Polar Bear
Source:	Virology
ISSN:	0042-6822
Publisher:	Elsevier / Academic Press
Volume:	443
Number:	1
Page Range:	1-10
Date:	15 August 2013
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2013.05.008
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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