Endogenous retrovirus group K13 member 1 (ERVK13-1)

Endogenous retrovirus group K13 member 1 (ERVK13-1) is a human gene derived from a retroviral ancestor. It encodes a predicted envelope polyprotein with structural similarity to retroviral Env proteins, which typically mediate receptor recognition and membrane fusion in viruses. In humans, ERVK13-1 is part of the long non-coding RNA gene class and has no confirmed protein coding function; in other retroviral family members, Env proteins are important in cell fusion processes, including placental morphogenesis (as in syncytin proteins). ERVK13-1 and related HERV-K envelope proteins are differentially expressed in cancer, neurodegeneration, and infection, suggesting possible roles in pathology, but their direct biological and therapeutic significance remains uncertain. Key functional features: Located in the plasma membrane (by prediction); Envelope protein domains may facilitate membrane fusion and cell-cell fusion (by analogy); Expression patterns are altered in disease states, but functional consequence for ERVK13-1 is not established; No approved drugs, biomarkers, or therapies targeting ERVK13-1; Multiple aliases exist due to gene/protein modularity and annotation differences. The target is correctly specified as a human endogenous retrovirus envelope gene and is not recognized as a canonical receptor, enzyme, or drug target. No major inconsistencies or errors are present in the input.

Other names

Endogenous retrovirus group K member 13-1 Env polyproteinSurface protein (SU)Transmembrane protein (TM)Envelope polyproteinHERV-K_16p13.3 provirus ancestral Env polyproteinHERV-K_16p3.3 provirus ancestral Env polyprotein