METHOD FOR DETECTING THE EXPRESSION OF AN ENVELOPE PROTEIN OF A HUMAN ENDOGENOUS RETROVIRUS AND USES OF A GENE CODING FOR SAID PROTEIN

摘要

The method for detecting the expression of a protein or an envelope polypeptide of an endogenous human retrovirus, is characterized in that the protein or the polypeptide has a polypeptide sequence which comprises the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence having, for any sequence of 20 amino acids, at least 90% identity with the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or with a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1, and detecting the fusogenic power of said protein or of said fragment in cells of a cell tissue or of a cell culture, by demonstrating the formation of syncytia. A gene or a nucleic acid or a fragment thereof is used to prepare a therapeutic or prophylactic composition, in particular for treating cancers and preventing a deficiency in the development of the placenta.