Les syncytines des protéines d'enveloppe rétrovirales capturées au profit du développement placentaire

Anne Dupressoir, Thierry Heidmann

    Résultats de recherche: Contribution à un journalArticleRevue par des pairs

    11 Citations (Scopus)

    Résumé

    In the past, germline infections by retroviruses have led to vertical transmission of "endogenized" retroviruses. Escaping genetic drift, some of the viral genes have been conserved until now because of beneficial effects on their host. Here we present the syncytin genes that encode envelope proteins from endogenous retroviruses. Syncytins have inherited fusogenic properties from their infectious ancestor and are specifically expressed in the placenta. Both properties have suggested their involvement in the formation of the syncytiotrophoblast, a multinucleated layer that mediates feto-maternal exchanges in the placenta. The capture of syncytin genes occurred on several independent occasions during evolution of mammals. Knock-out experiments of syncytins in the mouse definitively confirmed the role of these genes in placentation. Finally, a second function for syncytins, i.e. an immunosuppressive activity, could contribute to materno-fetal immune tolerance. This constitutes a remarkable example of convergent evolution where the properties of retroviral envelope genes are subverted to play a major physiological role.

    Titre traduit de la contributionSyncytins: Retroviral envelope genes captured for the benefit of placental development
    langue originaleFrançais
    Pages (de - à)163-169
    Nombre de pages7
    journalMedecine/Sciences
    Volume27
    Numéro de publication2
    Les DOIs
    étatPublié - 1 févr. 2011

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