In this article, we introduce the Gypsy Database (GyDB) of mobile genetic elements, an in-progress database devoted to the non-redundant analysis and evolutionary-based classification of mobile genetic elements. In this first version, we contemplate eukaryotic Ty3/Gypsy and Retroviridae long terminal repeats (LTR) retroelements. Phylogenetic analyses based on the gag-pro-pol internal region com...

Electron microscopy has been instrumental in the identification of viruses by being able to characterize a virus to the family level. There are a few cases where morphologic or morphogenesis factors can be used to differentiate further, to the genus level. These include viruses in the families Poxviridae, Reoviridae, Retroviridae, Herpesviridae, Filoviridae, and Bunyaviridae.

A novel group of retroviruses found within the order Crocodylia are described. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate that they are probably the most divergent members of the Retroviridae described to date; even the most conserved regions of Pol show an average of only 23% amino acid identity when compared to other retroviruses.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (Figure 1a) is the major catechin component of green tea (Camellia sinensis). It has been shown to have antiviral properties against DNA viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV; Herpesviridae) [1], adenovirus (Adenoviridae) [2], human papilloma virus (HPV; Papovaviridae) [3], and hepatitis B virus (HBV; Hepadnaviridae) [4], and RNA viruses such as influenza vir...

Pseudotype viruses: applications and troubleshooting’ (EuroSciCon 2013), a 1-day conference held at Cineworld: The O2 (London, UK) on 2 October 2013, focused on the technique of pseudotyping enveloped viruses (for a review of the technique, see [1]). The talks and posters covered the challenges and successes of pseudotyping viruses from a broad range of families (Retroviridae, Flaviviridae, Ort...

Retroviruses rely on host RNA-binding proteins to modulate various steps in their replication. Previously several animal retroviruses were determined to mediate Dhx9/RNA helicase A (RHA) interaction with a 5' terminal post-transcriptional control element (PCE) for efficient translation. Herein PCE reporter assays determined HTLV-1 and HIV-1 RU5 confer orientation-dependent PCE activity. The eff...

equine infectious anemia (eia) is a contagious disease that is clinically characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, hemolytic anemia, icterus, depression, edema and chronic weight loss. the disease is associated with a persistent viral infection. the virus of eia is a member of the retroviridae family. the aim of this study was to determine the status of eia in horses in ahvaz. one hundred ...

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are expected to open up new avenues in regenerative medicine by allowing the generation of transplantable cells to be used in future cell replacement therapies. Maintenance of hESCs in the presence of xenogenic compounds is likely to prevent their use in future therapeutic applications in humans. Recently, it has been claimed that human foreskin-derived human ...

The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV -1 and HIV -2), the etiological agents of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), beIong to the lentivirus subfamily of the Retroviridae famiIy. Sequence ana1ysis of viral DNA indicates a separate ancestral lineage for HIV 1 and HIV -2. PhyIogenetic anaIysis of diverse geographical isolates has shown HIV-l to cluster into two distinct major groups...