Endogenous Retroviral Expression in the Human Placenta

Pm, Johnson; Tw, Lyden; Jm, Mwenda

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0897.1990.tb00683.x

Cited by 34 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Whereas derepression of TEs leads to genomic instability and ultimately cell death in most cell types 9 , 10 , 13 , 14 , TE activity is not only tolerated but increasingly appreciated to fulfill key roles in early mammalian development 123 – 129 . The activation of TEs, in particular endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), appears to be a conserved feature of early mammalian embryos 130 , beginning after fertilization and continuing for the duration of gestation in the cells of the trophoblast and the placenta 131 , 132 . During mammalian evolution, the placenta emerged in the common ancestor of therian mammals, after the divergence from the egg-laying monotremes 133 , 134 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent evolution of a TET-controlled and DPPA3/STELLA-driven pathway of passive DNA demethylation in mammals

et al. 2020

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Genome-wide DNA demethylation is a unique feature of mammalian development and naïve pluripotent stem cells. Here, we describe a recently evolved pathway in which global hypomethylation is achieved by the coupling of active and passive demethylation. TET activity is required, albeit indirectly, for global demethylation, which mostly occurs at sites devoid of TET binding. Instead, TET-mediated active demethylation is locus-specific and necessary for activating a subset of genes, including the naïve pluripotency and germline marker Dppa3 (Stella, Pgc7). DPPA3 in turn drives large-scale passive demethylation by directly binding and displacing UHRF1 from chromatin, thereby inhibiting maintenance DNA methylation. Although unique to mammals, we show that DPPA3 alone is capable of inducing global DNA demethylation in non-mammalian species (Xenopus and medaka) despite their evolutionary divergence from mammals more than 300 million years ago. Our findings suggest that the evolution of Dppa3 facilitated the emergence of global DNA demethylation in mammals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent evolution of a TET-controlled and DPPA3/STELLA-driven pathway of passive DNA demethylation in mammals

et al. 2020

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“…Viral particles have been observed in placentas across all mammalian taxa for decades, but the functional role of these viruses remains unknown (Harris, 1998, Johnson et al, 1990, Kalter et al, 1973, Kalter et al, 1975, Simpson et al, 1996). Importantly, these viral particles are not the result of exogenous viral infections, but rather they are transcribed directly from the fetal genome (Rowe and Trono, 2011).…”

Section: Molecular Drivers Of Placental Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary perspectives into placental biology and disease

Chuong

Hannibal

Green

et al. 2013

Applied & Translational Genomics

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In all mammals including humans, development takes place within the protective environment of the maternal womb. Throughout gestation, nutrients and waste products are continuously exchanged between mother and fetus through the placenta. Despite the clear importance of the placenta to successful pregnancy and the health of both mother and offspring, relatively little is understood about the biology of the placenta and its role in pregnancy-related diseases. Given that pre- and peri-natal diseases involving the placenta affect millions of women and their newborns worldwide, there is an urgent need to understand placenta biology and development. Here, we suggest that the placenta is an organ under unique selective pressures that have driven its rapid diversification throughout mammalian evolution. The high divergence of the placenta complicates the use of non-human animal models and necessitates an evolutionary perspective when studying its biology and role in disease. We suggest that diversifying evolution of the placenta is primarily driven by intraspecies evolutionary conflict between mother and fetus, and that many pregnancy diseases are a consequence of this evolutionary force. Understanding how maternal–fetal conflict shapes both basic placental and reproductive biology – in all species – will provide key insights into diseases of pregnancy.

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Placental endogenous retrovirus (ERV): structural, functional, and evolutionary significance

Harris¹

1998

Bioessays

113

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That endogenous retrovirus (ERV) is present within the placenta of humans and other mammals has been known for the past 25 years, but the significance of this observation is still not fully understood. Much molecular biological data have emerged in recent years to support the earlier electron microscopic data on the presence of placental ERV. The evidence for ERV in animal and human placental tissue is presented, then integrated with data on the the presence of ERV in a range of other tissues, in particular teratocarcinoma cells. Placental invasiveness and maternal immunosuppression are then discussed in relation to metalloproteinase secretion, the immunosuppressive potential of retroviruses, and placental growth factors, while the evidence for a functional link between placental protooncogenes and trophoblast malignancy is reviewed. Finally, placental development, structure, and life span are discussed within an evolutionary context. The hypothesis that one or more ancient trophoblastic ERVs could have played a role in the evolution and divergence of all placental mammals is evaluated. Bio-

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Endogenous Retroviral Expression in the Human Placenta

Cited by 34 publications

References 75 publications

Recent evolution of a TET-controlled and DPPA3/STELLA-driven pathway of passive DNA demethylation in mammals

Recent evolution of a TET-controlled and DPPA3/STELLA-driven pathway of passive DNA demethylation in mammals

Evolutionary perspectives into placental biology and disease

Placental endogenous retrovirus (ERV): structural, functional, and evolutionary significance

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