Expression of human endogenous retrovirus K is stimulated by ultraviolet radiation in melanoma

• Published in: Pigment cell and melanoma research Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 656 - 665
• Main Authors: Schanab, Oliver, Humer, Johannes, Gleiss, Andreas, Mikula, Mario, Sturlan, Sanda, Grunt, Susanne, Okamoto, Ichiro, Muster, Thomas, Pehamberger, Hubert, Waltenberger, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2011
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Cell Line, Tumor; Data processing; Endogenous Retroviruses - genetics; Endogenous Retroviruses - radiation effects; Envelope protein; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral - radiation effects; Gene Products, pol - genetics; Gene Products, pol - metabolism; Human endogenous retrovirus; Human endogenous retrovirus K; human endogenous retrovirus type K; Humans; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Melanoma - virology; Pigments; pol gene; Retrovirus; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Skin Neoplasms - virology; Transcription activation; Transcriptional Activation - radiation effects; Transformation; U.V. radiation; ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays; Virion - metabolism; Virion - radiation effects; Virus Activation - radiation effects
• ISSN: 1755-1471; 1755-148X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2011.00860.x

Summary Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent a cellular reservoir of potentially pathogenic retroviral genes. A growing body of evidence indicates that the activation of endogenous retroviral sequences might be involved in the transformation of melanocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on the expression of human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV‐K) in melanoma cells and non‐melanoma cells in vitro. Solely in melanoma cell lines, irradiation with UVB (200 mJ/cm2) resulted in a significant transcriptional activation of the retroviral pol gene as well as in an enhanced expression of the retroviral envelope protein (env). In addition, UVB treatment induced the production of retroviral particles in the supernatants of melanoma cell lines. These data indicate that HERV‐K expression can be activated by UVB irradiation and suggest an involvement of HERV‐K in UVR‐related melanoma pathogenesis.