REC is a family of rec proteins from the HERV-K viral polyprotein family. Rec is a functional homologue of Rev and Rex, and binds to an RNA element, the Rec-responsive element (RcRE), in the 3'LTR of HTDV/HERV-K transcripts [1]. Thus Rec mediates nuclear export of RNA by binding to its responsive element, RcRE, present in a transcript [1]. The human small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing protein (hSGT) that controls mitotic processes and is a checkpoint protein during pro-metaphase is found to be a Rec-interacting partner.interferes with its role as a negative regulator of the androgen receptor, leading to enhanced androgen receptor activity. HERV-K(HML-2) elements benefit from this enhanced activity, as this leads to a vicious cycle that can result in increased cell proliferation, an inhibition of apoptosis, and eventually tumourigenesis [2].

1: Rec (formerly Corf) function requires interaction with a complex, folded RNA structure within its responsive element rather than binding to a discrete specific binding site. Magin-Lachmann C, Hahn S, Strobel H, Held U, Lower J, Lower R; J Virol. 2001;75:10359-10371. PMID:11581404

2: The Rec protein of HERV-K(HML-2) upregulates androgen receptor activity by binding to the human small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat protein (hSGT). Hanke K, Chudak C, Kurth R, Bannert N; Int J Cancer. 2012; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:22733359