ERV3

ERV3

Symbol	ERV3
HGNC ID	3436
Alternative symbols	–
Entrez Gene	2087
OMIM	142460
RefSeq	NM_001007251
UniProt	P61812
Chromosome	7q11.23
Locus supplementary data	–

ERV3 (Endogenous Retrovirus Group 3) is a human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) that is part of the human genome. It is located on chromosome 7 at the q11.23 region.

Function

ERV3 is one of the many endogenous retroviruses that have integrated into the human genome over millions of years. These sequences are remnants of ancient viral infections that have become fixed in the germline DNA. While most HERVs are non-functional, some have been co-opted by the host for beneficial purposes.

Expression

The expression of ERV3 is tissue-specific and has been detected in the placenta, suggesting a potential role in placental development. The envelope protein of ERV3 has been studied for its possible immunosuppressive properties, which may contribute to maternal-fetal tolerance during pregnancy.

Clinical Significance

Altered expression of ERV3 has been observed in certain cancers, including breast cancer and melanoma. Research is ongoing to determine the implications of these findings and whether ERV3 could serve as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis or prognosis.

See Also

• Endogenous retrovirus
• Human genome
• Placental development

External Links

• ERV3 Gene - NCBI
• ERV3 Protein - UniProt