Biomedical subjects

Tae-Hyung Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Tae-Hyung Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

LINE FUSION GENES: a database of LINE expression in human genes.

BACKGROUND: Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINEs) are the most abundant retrotransposons in humans. About 79% of human genes are estimated to contain at least one segment of LINE per transcription unit. Recent studies have shown that LINE elements can affect protein sequences, splicing patterns and expression of human genes. DESCRIPTION: We have developed a database, LINE FUSION GENES, for elucidating LINE expression throughout the human gene database. We searched the 28,171 genes listed in the NCBI database for LINE elements and analyzed their structures and expression patterns. The results show that the mRNA sequences of 1,329 genes were affected by LINE expression. The LINE expression types were classified on the basis of LINEs in the 5' UTR, exon or 3' UTR sequences of the mRNAs. Our database provides further information, such as the tissue distribution and chromosomal location of the genes, and the domain structure that is changed by LINE integration. We have linked all the accession numbers to the NCBI data bank to provide mRNA sequences for subsequent users. CONCLUSION: We believe that our work will interest genome scientists and might help them to gain insight into the implications of LINE expression for human evolution and disease. AVAILABILITY: http://www.primate.or.kr/line.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed2006

Comparative assessment of coal tars obtained from 10 former manufactured gas plant sites in the eastern United States.

A comparative analysis was performed on eleven coal tars obtained from former manufactured gas plant sites in the eastern United States. Bulk properties analyzed included percent ash, Karl Fisher water content, viscosity and average molecular weight. Chemical properties included monocyclic- and polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations, alkylated aromatic concentrations, and concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic fractions. It was found that there was at least an order-of-magnitude variation in all properties measured between the eleven coal tars. Additionally, two coal tars obtained from the same manufactured gas plant site had very different properties, highlighting that there can be wide variations in coal tar properties from different samples obtained from the same site. Similarities were also observed between the coal tars. The relative chemical distributions were similar for all coal tars, and the coal tars predominantly consisted of PAHs, with naphthalene being the single-most prevalent compound. The C(9-22) aromatic fraction, an indicator of all PAHs up to a molecular weight of approximately 276 gmole(-1), showed a strong power-law relationship with the coal tar average molecular weight (MW (ct)). And the concentrations of individual PAHs decreased linearly as MW (ct) increased up to ca. 1000 gmole(-1), above which they remained low and variable. Implications of these properties and their variation with MW (ct) on groundwater quality are discussed. Ultimately, while these similarities do allow generalities to be made about coal tars, the wide range of coal tar bulk and chemical properties reported here highlights the complex nature of coal tars.

Coal Tar↗

PubMed2006

Determinants of respiratory symptom development in patients with chronic airflow obstruction.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify the determinants of respiratory symptom development in patients with chronic airflow obstruction (CAO). METHODS: Categories of symptomatic and asymptomatic CAO were defined using questionnaire responses and spirometric results. We analyzed data obtained as part of the second South Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Korean NHANES II). RESULTS: Among 187 patients with CAO, 69 had no respiratory symptoms. CAO patients with symptoms were significantly older than those without symptoms (P=0.026), and hypertension was more common among symptomatic CAO patients than among asymptomatic CAO patients (P=0.005). According to questionnaire responses, symptomatic CAO patients had more difficulty in walking or lifting (P<0.001), required more help with personal care (P=0.01), and had poorer general health than asymptomatic CAO patients (P=0.008). Symptomatic CAO patients had higher fasting blood glucose levels than asymptomatic CAO patients (P=0.028). Symptomatic CAO patients had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) (P=0.001), forced vital capacity (FVC) (P=0.008), and a ratio of FEV1/FVC than asymptomatic CAO patients (P<0.001). Statistically significant predictors of symptom development were as follows: age (odds ratio (OR) 1.04, P=0.028), hypertension (OR 4.41, P=0.008), fasting blood glucose (OR 1.02, P=0.034), FEV1 (OR 0.07, P=0.002), FVC (OR 0.08, P=0.009), FEV1/FVC (OR 0.00, P=0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed two independent factors associated with symptom development: FEV1/FVC (OR 0.001, P=0.002) and hypertension (OR 5.95, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In CAO, respiratory symptom development is significantly associated with low FEV1/FVC and the presence of hypertension.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Molecular evolution of the periphilin gene in relation to human endogenous retrovirus m element.

HERV-M (human endogenous retrovirus M), related to the super family of HERV-K, has a methionine (M) tRNA primer-binding site, and is located within the periphilin gene on human chromosome 12q12. HERV-M has been integrated into the periphilin gene as the truncated form, 5'LTR-gag-pol-3'LTR. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approaches were conducted to investigate its evolutionary origins. Interestingly, the insertion of retroelements in a common ancestor genome can make different transcript variants in different species. In the case of the periphilin gene, human (10 variants) and mouse (2 variants) lineages show different transcript variants. Insertion of HERV-M (variant 1-3) could affect the protein-coding region. Also, Alusq/x (variant 4-9) and L1ME4a (mammalian-wide subfamilies of LINE-1) (variant 10) in humans and SINE (short interspersed repetitive element) and RLTR15 (the mouse putative long terminal repeat) (variant 2) in mice could be driving forces in transcript diversification of the periphilin gene during mammalian evolution. The HERV-M derived transcripts (variant 1-3) were expressed in different human tissues, whereas they were not detected in crab-eating monkey and squirrel monkey tissues by RT-PCR amplification. Taken together, HERV-M seems to have been integrated into our common ancestor genome after the divergence of simians and prosimians, and then was actively expressed during hominoid evolution.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2006

Removal of retrievable self-expandable urethral stents: experience in 58 stents.

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of removing retrievable self-expandable urethral stents using a retrieval hook wire. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the removal of 58 polyurethane or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)-covered stents was attempted in 33 patients using a retrieval hook wire. Indications for removal were elective removal (n = 21), stent migration (n = 19), formation of tissue hyperplasia around or inside of the stent (n = 14), stent deformity (n = 3), and severe pain (n = 1). The mean time the stents remained in place was 64.8 +/- 42.9 days (range, 1-177 days). Fifty-six (97%) of the 58 stents were successfully removed using the retrieval hook wire despite the following difficulties; hook wire disconnection (n = 2), untied drawstrings (n = 3), and polyurethane membrane disruption/separation (n = 4). The removal procedure using a retrieval hook wire failed in two stents (3%) which had migrated into the urinary bladder. One of the two stents with migration into the urinary bladder was removed using a snare through the cystostomy route. The overall complication rate was 14% (seven hematuria cases and one urethral tear case), and all were minor and spontaneously resolved without further treatment. In conclusion, removal of retrievable urethral stents using a retrieval hook wire was safe and effective despite some technical difficulties. It is a useful method for allowing temporary stent placement and solving various complications of stent use.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Radiofrequency radiation does not induce stress response in human T-lymphocytes and rat primary astrocytes.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are rapidly induced by a variety of stressors, including heat shock, ethanol, heavy metals, UV, and gamma-radiation. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are also involved in the stress transduction pathways in all eukaryotes. In this study, we attempted to determine whether radiofrequency (RF) radiation is able to induce a non-thermal stress response. Human T-lymphocyte Jurkat cells and rat primary astrocytes were exposed to 1763 MHz of RF radiation at an average specific absorption rate (SAR) of either 2 W/kg or 20 W/kg, for 30 min or 1 h. Temperature was completely controlled at 37 +/- 0.2 degrees C throughout the exposure period. The sham exposures were performed under exactly identical experimental conditions without exposure to RF radiation. We assessed alterations in the expression of HSPs and the activation of MAPKs in the RF-exposed cells. No detectable difference was observed in the expression levels of HSP90, HSP70, and HSP27. The phosphorylation status of MAPKs, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNK1/2), or p38, did not change significantly. In order to determine whether RF radiation can promote the effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on stress response, cells were exposed to RF radiation coupled with TPA treatment. When TPA alone was applied, the MAPKs were found to be phosphorylated in a dose-dependent manner. However, RF radiation did not result in any enhancement of TPA-induced MAPK phosphorylation. Neither TPA nor RF radiation exerted any detectable effect on the induction of HSPs. These results indicate that 1763 MHz RF radiation alone did not elicit any stress response, nor did it have any effect on TPA-induced MAPK phosphorylation, under our experimental conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of irradiation using a radioisotope-filled balloon on tissue hyperplasia caused by stent placement in a canine urethral model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate 20 Gy and 40 Gy of intraluminal beta-irradiation using a 188Re-7mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3)-filled balloon catheter to reduce tissue hyperplasia caused by covered stent placement for 12 weeks of follow-up in a canine urethral model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten dogs underwent 188Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilatation immediately after stent placement; 20 Gy at 1-mm tissue depth in group I (n = 5) and 40 Gy in group II (n = 5), whereas 5 dogs (group III) underwent conventional balloon dilatation only. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three groups for percentage diameter of stenosis, although this was highest in group III. There was a tendency toward lower mean thickness of the epithelial layer and the papillary projection for out-stent area, and thickness of the papillary projection and degree of inflammatory cells for instent area in groups I and II compared with group III. Thickness of the papillary projection in out-stent area was significantly different among the three groups (P = 0.031). It was significantly less thick in group I than in group III (P < 0.05), whereas group II was not significantly different from group III. CONCLUSION: 188Re-MAG3-filled balloon dilatation has the potential to reduce tissue hyperplasia after 12 weeks of follow-up in a canine urethral model. The use of 20 Gy compared to 40 Gy did not show significant differences.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Rhenium-188 mercaptoacetyltriglycine-filled balloon dilation in the treatment of recurrent urethral strictures: initial experience with five patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of beta-irradiation therapy with use of a rhenium-188 mercaptoacetyltriglycine ((188)Re-MAG(3))-filled balloon for the prevention of restenosis in urethral strictures refractory to repetitive surgical or interventional procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five male patients with traumatic (n = 4) or postoperative anastomotic (n = 1) recurrent urethral strictures were included. One to four sessions of 20-30 Gy beta-irradiation at a 1-mm tissue depth with (188)Re-MAG(3)-filled balloon dilation were undertaken in each patient. RESULTS: No procedural complications or toxicities were noted. During the mean follow-up period of 16.2 months, the stricture did not recur in two patients, whereas three patients required additional interventional procedures. In two of these patients, the treatment intervals between the required sessions were significantly prolonged. For the entire group, the mean treatment interval was prolonged from 2.2 months before (188)Re-MAG(3)-filled balloon dilation to 10.7 months after therapy. CONCLUSION: (188)Re-MAG(3)-filled balloon dilation shows promise in preventing or delaying stricture recurrence in patients with recurrent urethral strictures.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Benign pulmonary metastasizing leiomvomatosis: case report and a review of the literature.

The authors report here on a case of a nearly asymptomatic 51-year-old Korean woman who was found to have diffuse, multiple nodules of the lungs on a routine chest radiograph. She had undergone hysterectomy 16 years previously for uterine myoma. An open lung biopsy revealed tumor that was composed of interlacing bundles of spindle cells with cigar shaped nucleus and eosinophilic myofibrils in the cytoplasm; consistent with multiple leiomyomas. The stains for SMA, desmin, MSA and Ki-67 were positive and the stain for c-kit was negative. The other stains for estrogen and progesterone receptor were positive. During the open lung biopsy procedure, all the nodules were excised. We report here on an interesting case of benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) in 51-year-old patient. To the best of our knowledge, this case showed the longest period of clinical progression in Korea. This is also one of a few cases in which curative excision was successfully performed.

Disease Progression↗

PubMed2005

Influence of a dexamethasone-eluting covered stent on tissue reaction: an experimental study in a canine bronchial model.

This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a dexamethasone (DXM)-eluting, covered, self-expanding metallic stent to reduce tissue reaction following stent placement in a canine bronchial model. We placed a DXM-eluting, polyurethane-covered, self-expanding metallic stent (drug stent, DS) and a polyurethane-covered, self-expanding metallic stent (control stent, CS) alternately in each left main bronchus and left lower lobe bronchus in 12 dogs. The stents were 20 mm in diameter and length when fully expanded. The dose of DXM was approximately 36.7 mg in each DS, but was absent in the CS. The dogs were euthanased 1 week (n=4), 2 weeks (n=4) or 4 weeks (n=4) after stent placement. Histologic findings, such as epithelial erosion/ulcer or granulation tissue thickness, were obtained from the mid-portion of the bronchus, where the stent had been placed, and evaluated between DS and CS. There were no procedure-related complications or malpositioning of any of the bronchial stents. Stent migration was detected in one dog just before euthanasia 1 week following stent placement. Stent patency was maintained until euthanasia in all dogs. Epithelial erosion/ulcer (%) was significantly less in the DS (mean+/-standard deviation, 46.88+/-23.75) than in the CS (73.75+/-14.08) (P=0.026) for all time-points. There was a decrease in epithelial erosion/ulcer as the follow-up period increased in both DS and CS. The granulation tissue thickness (mm) was less in DS (2.63+/-2.05) than in CS (3.49+/-2.95), although the difference was not significant (P=0.751) for all time-points. There was a tendency toward an increase in granulation tissue thickness and chronic lymphocytic infiltration as the follow-up period increased in both DS and CS. In conclusion, DXM-eluting, covered, self-expanding metallic stent seems to be effective in reducing tissue reaction secondary to stent placement in a canine bronchial model.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The role of endogenous histamine on the pathogenesis of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced, acute lung injury: a pilot study.

Histamine is widely distributed in the lungs and increases capillary permeability and P-selectin expression. To observe the role of histamine in acute lung injury (ALI), we measured the histamine and protein concentrations and cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of LPS-induced ALI in rats. We instilled LPS (3 mg/kg) intratracheally, in conjunction with the intravenous histamine receptor antagonists (mepyramine, a H1-receptor antagonist, or ranitidine, a H2-receptor antagonist). LPS increased protein concentration and neutrophil numbers in the BAL as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lungs after 6 h. LPS also increased histamine concentration in BAL after 2 h. Mepyramine and ranitidine attenuated the increased histamine concentrations. Total cell number in the BAL and MPO activity in the lungs were significantly decreased and neutrophil numbers and protein concentration in the BAL seemed to decrease with the administration of ranitidine at 6 h. In conclusion, endogenous histamine might be involved in the recruitment of neutrophils and protein leaks in LPS-induced ALI via the H2 receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Effect of radiofrequency radiation exposure on mouse skin tumorigenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethybenz[alpha]anthracene.

PURPOSE: Although radiofrequency (RF) radiation is not considered mutagenic, it has been suggested as a promoter of tumorigenesis. To study if RF radiation has a tumor promoting effect, we exposed mice with skin tumorigenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethybenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to RF radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty male ICR mice were subjected to a single DMBA application (100 microg/100 microl acetone/mouse) on shaved dorsal skin at the age of 7 weeks. After one week, the mice were randomized into four equal groups of 20 mice each: i.e., sham-, 849 MHz-, 1,763 MHz-exposed, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated groups. The RF exposure was conducted at a whole body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 W/Kg, for 2 cycles of 45 min exposure with a 15 min interval each day, 5 days a week for 19 weeks. The TPA-treated group served as a positive control for skin tumorigenesis and were administered TPA (4 microg/100 microl acetone/mouse) twice weekly without RF exposure. RESULTS: All mice were examined weekly at a macroscopic level. No skin tumors were observed in any groups except in the TPA-treated positive control group. TPA is known tumor promoter in DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis and tumor incidence in the TPA treated group was 95%. At week 20 after DMBA initiation, skin tissues were analyzed immunohistochemically using anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody. No differences were observed by pathological examination or by PCNA staining between the sham- and the RF-exposed groups. The expression of cyclin D1 and c-fos were detected only in the tumorous skin tissues of the TPA-treated group. CONCLUSION: No evidence was found that RF radiation serves as a tumor promoter for skin tumors. Our data suggests that 849 MHz and 1,763 MHz RF radiations, similar to those emitted from mobile phones, do not have any promoting effect on skin tumor development in DMBA-initiated mice.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

PubMed2005

Gastric outlet obstruction caused by benign anastomotic stricture: treatment by fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation of gastric outlet obstruction caused by benign anastomotic stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation was performed on 17 patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by benign anastomotic stricture. Fourteen patients underwent surgery for malignant disease and three patients for complication of benign gastric ulcer. The sites of anastomotic stricture were gastrojejunal (n = 12) or gastroduodenal (n = 5). An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series was performed just following and 1 month after balloon dilation to evaluate both the clinical success of the procedure and any complications. A dietary intake was evaluated by using the score for patients with malignant dysphagia and the pre- and postballoon dilation scores were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: In all patients, fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation was performed in one (n = 15) or two (n = 2) sessions and was technically and clinically successful (100%). The diameters of the balloon catheters used were 15 mm (n = 4), 20 mm (n = 14), and 25 mm (n = 1 mm; mean, 19.5 mm) in a total of 19 sessions. All patients had significant improvement of their levels of dietary intake (P < .001). Two of the 17 patients required the second procedure due to recurrent symptom nine and 15 months, respectively, after initial balloon dilation. Overall, 16 patients (94%) showed good results and no recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 13.5 months (range, 5-39 months). There were no major complications associated with balloon dilation. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation seems to be effective and safe for patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by benign anastomotic stricture. Achieving a luminal diameter of 20 mm seems to be necessary to prevent recurrence of symptoms.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Tissue hyperplasia: influence of a paclitaxel-eluting covered stent--preliminary study in a canine urethral model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a paclitaxel-eluting covered stent in reduction of tissue hyperplasia after stent placement in a canine urethral model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedures were performed in accordance with the National Institutes of Health guidelines for humane handling of animals; approval of the committee of animal research was obtained. Twenty paclitaxel-eluting polyurethane-covered stents (drug stents) and 20 polyurethane-covered stents (control stents) were placed alternately between the proximal and distal urethra in 20 male dogs. The dose of paclitaxel was approximately 1800 mug in each drug stent but absent in each control stent. Dogs were sacrificed either 4 (n = 10) or 8 (n = 10) weeks after stent placement. The percentage diameter of stenosis was assessed with follow-up retrograde urethrography and histologic findings obtained after sacrifice and compared between drug stents and control stents and between the proximal and the distal urethra. RESULTS: Two drug stents partially migrated during retrograde urethrography immediately after stent placement; they were removed and replaced with a second stent during the same procedure. There was a strong tendency toward a lower percentage diameter of stenosis and numeric mean values of the four histologic findings, which indicates less formation of tissue hyperplasia in the proximal urethra than in the distal urethra. In particular, thickness of the papillary projection denoting the entire thickness of hyperplastic reaction was significantly less in drug stents than in control stents in the proximal urethra in the 8-week group (P = .016, Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: Local delivery of paclitaxel via covered stents has the potential to reduce tissue hyperplasia secondary to stent placement in a canine urethral model. With stent placement, there are distinct differences of tissue hyperplasia between the proximal and distal urethra.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Wortmannin elevates tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand sensitivity in LNCaP cells through down-regulation of IAP-2 protein.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, has been shown to effectively induce tumor apoptosis without any detectable cytotoxic side effects. But recent studies have shown that LNCaP cells are resistant to TRAIL, because LNCaP cells express the constitutively active Akt/protein kinase B. Therefore this study examined the effect of Wortmannin, a PI-3 kinase inhibitor, and the intracellular mechanisms to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. METHODS: LNCaP cells, which are resistant to apoptotic induction of TRAIL alone, were exposed to Wortmannin for 3 h and treated with the recombinant TRAIL protein for an additional 3 h. RESULTS: TRAIL alone induced apoptosis in approximately 10% of the cells, whilst pretreatment with Wortmannin increased the TRAIL-induced apoptosis to 45%. Wortmannin alone had no effect on the tumor cell viability, but enhanced the TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and completely blocked Akt phosphorylation. The blocking of the Akt phosphorylation decreased the IAP-2 protein expression level, which is believed to mediate the enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Wortmannin elevates the TRAIL sensitivity in LNCaP cells by regulating the phosphorylation of Akt and IAP-2 protein expression.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed2004

HESAS: HERVs Expression and Structure Analysis System.

SUMMARY: HESAS (HERVs Expression and Structure Analysis System) database was developed to understand the human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) that have an effect on the expression of human functional genes. The database products are generated by the exon-based expressed sequence tag clustering and reconstructing of partial HERV structures that result from various mutations during primate evolution. The expression types were classified according to the existence of splicing, transcriptional start and polyadenylation signal sites. The database currently contains HERV information on 26,981 human genes of exon-intron structure. The HERV elements were inserted into 17,317 of these genes and linked to expression with 898 genes. AVAILABILITY: http://www.primate.or.kr/HESAS CONTACT: khs307@pusan.ac.kr.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Human endogenous retroviral elements belonging to the HERV-S family from human tissues, cancer cells, and primates: expression, structure, phylogeny and evolution.

A new human endogenous retrovirus family (HERV-S) was recently identified from the human chromosome X. The HERV-S was 6.7 kb in length with typical retroviral structure (LTR-gag-pol-env-LTR). We investigated pol fragments of HERV-S family in various human tissues and cancer cells. The pol gene was expressed in only brain and thymus among human tissues (brain, prostate, testis, heart, kidney, liver, lung, placenta, skeletal muscle, spleen, thymus, uterus), whereas the pol gene was detected in various cancer cell lines (RT4, PFSK-1, BT-474, HCT-116, Jurkat, HepG2, MCF7, OVCAR-3, MIA-PaCa-2, PC3, LOX-IMVI, AZ521, 2F7, and C-33A) except for TE-1, UO-31, A549, and U-937 by RT-PCR analysis. Expression and sequencing data of the 33 clones imply that the pol gene of HERV-S family is more active in cancer cells than in human tissues, which may have transcriptional potential role related to various human cancers. Phylogenetic analysis of HERV-S pol family distinctively divided into three groups (group I, II, and III) through evolutionary divergence in primate evolution. Evolutionary divergence of the HERV-S family by PCR amplification and sequence analysis indicated that they were integrated into the primate genomes approximately 43 Myr ago and have been evolved rate of 0.3% nucleotide differences per Myr during primate evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

The distribution and expression of HERV families in the human genome.

The families of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are widely distributed in the human genome. Here we examined their distribution and expression. Approximately forty thousand HERV elements including truncated and solitary long terminal repeats (LTRs) were identified. These elements were most dense on chromosomes 4, 20, X, and Y. From an analysis of genomic stability during primate evolution, the 5 cent -LTR of the HERV genome (5 cent LTR - internal HERV - 3 cent LTR) appeared to be more often truncated than the 3 cent -LTR. ESTs derived from normal placenta, skeletal muscle, hypothalamus, and testis gave frequent matches to HERV elements. We present a classification of genes associated with HERV elements according to the hierarchical structure of gene ontology.

Endogenous Retroviruses↗