Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (USA) have just decoded the 3D structure of an ancient viral protein in the human genome for the first time. This protein – HERV-K Env – appears on the surface of many cancer cells and autoimmune diseases, promising to become a new target for diagnosis and treatment.
About 8% of human DNA is actually viral relics left over from evolution. This “dark matter” in the genome is usually silent, but can be “awakened” in cancer or autoimmune diseases.
The work, recently published in Science Advances, provides the first structural image of HERV-K Env, marking the first time science has solved the protein structure of an endogenous human retrovirus.
“This is the first human HERV protein structure to be decoded – and only the third retrovirus envelope structure ever to be elucidated, after HIV and SIV. This discovery opens up the possibility of developing new diagnostic tools and therapies,” said Professor Erica Ollmann Saphire, President and CEO of the LJI.
The team used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to image HERV-K Env in various states, from when it was on the cell surface to when it was bound to antibodies. They found that the trimer-trimeric structure of this protein is very different from HIV and SIV: tall, thin, and has a unique amino acid chain fold.
The results open up a wide range of applications. For cancer: Many types of tumor cells (such as breast and ovarian cancer) express HERV-K Env, while healthy cells do not.
Antibodies targeting this protein could become specific immunotherapeutic tools. In autoimmune diseases: Patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis also have HERV-K Env on neutrophils.
The team has developed specific antibodies that can accurately mark these abnormal cells, opening up the prospect of early diagnosis and reducing inflammation.
According to scientists, understanding the structure and how antibodies recognize HERV-K Env could help develop tests and treatments for many different diseases.
Scientists are also discovering more and more diseases associated with this virus. Dr. Jeremy Shek, co-author of the study, emphasized: “We can pick any disease that is interesting and go in this direction (studying HERV-L Env)”./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hy-vong-dieu-tri-ung-thu-nho-virus-an-trong-dna-nguoi-post1059739.vnp
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