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Presence of dUTPase in the Various Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K) Families

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Abstract

Various retroviruses have been shown to encode dUTPase. The overall phylogeny of dUTPase is unclear, though. The human genome contains a significant amount of human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) representing fossilized sequences of ancient exogenous retroviruses. A few HERV families have been reported to harbor dUTPase domains. We surveyed the various HERV families for the presence of dUTPase and found that ancestors of all HERV-K families but one encoded dUTPase. With two exceptions phylogenetic analysis shows a monophyletic origin of dUTPase for the different HERV-K dUTPases. Sequences of consensus dUTPase domains suggest that the various exogenous ancestors of HERV-K once encoded active enzymes. Our analysis provides informations on dUTPase phylogeny and further shows that endogenous retroviruses provide important informations regarding retrovirus evolution.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to J.M (Ma2298/2-1) and E.M (Me917/16-1).

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Correspondence to Jens Mayer.

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Mayer, J., Meese, E.U. Presence of dUTPase in the Various Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K) Families . J Mol Evol 57, 642–649 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-003-2514-6

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