Research suggests that ancient viruses have played a significant role in shaping human development and evolution. A team of international scientists has identified patterns related to gene regulation in transposable elements (TEs), or “jumping genes,” which are scattered throughout the human genome. TEs account for nearly half of our genetic material, previously considered as “molecular junk.” The study’s findings indicate that these viral remnants may have contributed to early human development and the evolution of species.
According to Dr. Fumitaka Inoue, Associate Professor of Functional Genomics at Kyoto University, “Our genome has long been deciphered, but the functions of many of its parts remain unknown.” The researchers sequenced TEs and uncovered hidden patterns that may help reveal potential links between viruses and diseases, as well as new possibilities for gene therapy.
The study suggests that ancient viruses infiltrated primate ancestors’ genomes, forming a complex regulatory landscape. These viral elements have developed mechanisms to control their potentially harmful effects, but some may still play a role in human disease development. For example, a recent study explored the idea of suppressing certain TEs to enhance cancer treatment effectiveness.
The researchers also identified four previously unknown subfamilies of a TE group called MER11, found in primate genomes. These subfamilies may have played a potential role in early development and gene responses to developmental signals or external factors. Tracing DNA changes over time suggests that this subfamily evolved differently across the genomes of different species, contributing to biological evolution.
While more research is needed to understand the exact mechanism of TE involvement in evolutionary processes, the study opens up new perspectives for understanding the role of TEs in shaping human genomes. This underscores how much we can learn from a type of DNA once considered a molecular parasite, according to Dr. Steve Hoffmann, a computer biologist at the Leibniz Institute for Aging in Germany.
Source: https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/ancient-viral-dna-shapes-human-genome-and-evolution