An env-like protein encoded by a Drosophila retroelement: evidence that gypsy is an infectious retrovirus

• Published in: Genes & development Vol. 8; no. 17; pp. 2046 - 2057
• Main Authors: Song, S U, Gerasimova, T, Kurkulos, M, Boeke, J D, Corces, V G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1994
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Base Sequence; Crosses, Genetic; DNA Primers - genetics; DNA, Viral - genetics; Drosophila melanogaster - genetics; Drosophila melanogaster - metabolism; Drosophila melanogaster - virology; Female; Gene Products, env - genetics; Gene Products, env - immunology; Gene Products, env - metabolism; Genes, env; Genes, Insect; Larva - metabolism; Larva - virology; Male; Microscopy, Immunoelectron; Molecular Sequence Data; Open Reading Frames; Ovary - metabolism; Ovary - virology; Retroelements; Retroviridae - genetics; Retroviridae - metabolism; Retroviridae - pathogenicity

The gypsy element of Drosophila differs from most LTR retrotransposons in containing a third open reading frame that resembles retroviral env genes. The protein encoded by ORF3 is glycosylated and processed, like all retroviral envelope proteins. The protein is expressed at high levels in fly strain...