Characterization of insertion sites and development of locus-specific assays for three broiler-derived subgroup E avian leukosis virus proviruses

Abstract

This report deals with the identification of novel elements belonging to a family of endogenous retroviruses, designated endogenous avian leukosis virus-type proviral elements (ALVE), that reside in the genome of the chicken and are closely related to exogenous avian leukosis viruses. The study of ALVE elements in the chicken genome serves as a model system for understanding the interplay between endogenous viruses and their vertebrate hosts in general, including humans. In this report, we characterize the insertion sites and describe locus-specific, diagnostic polymerase chain reaction-based assays for three previously discovered, but as yet not localized, ALVE elements. In addition, we assess the proviral integrity, provide the complete element sequence and examine the genomic environs of the three broiler-derived elements.

Avian Leukosis: Will We Be Able to Get Rid of It?

“…The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/ani13142358/s1, Table S1: Validated ALV-E insertions in different breeds of chickens [234][235][236][237][238]. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.…”

Endogenous Retroviruses Drive Resistance and Promotion of Exogenous Retroviral Homologs

“…Although they contain motifs that resemble enhancer regions, deletions result in insufficient enhancer function (24). Domestic chickens have on average five endogenous ASLV integration sites per individual, with up to 50 different loci identified (25); only one locus exists in the red jungle fowl (G. gallus wild ancestor) reference genome, although a second locus was identified recently (26). Although the loci identified in red jungle fowls are not represented in domestic chickens, the increased number of ASLV integration sites suggests that ASLV duplication was commensurate with domestication.…”