The human genome, comprising 23 pairs of chromosomes, contains about 8% ancient viral remnants that have been embedded into our genetic code over millions of years. These transposable elements (TEs), also known as “jumping genes,” were once considered “junk” DNA but now play a crucial role in human development and evolution.
A new study published in Science Advances has identified hidden patterns in TEs, which could be essential for gene regulation. The researchers sequenced TE sequences called MER11 found within primate genomes, revealing four previously undiscovered subfamilies. One of these subfamilies, named MER11_G4, showed a strong ability to activate gene expression in human stem cells and early-stage neural cells.
The study suggests that viral TEs have contributed to shaping human evolution by changing over time and influencing the development of different animals. The researchers found that this specific TE subfamily evolved differently within the genomes of humans, chimpanzees, and macaques.
“This study offers new insights into the role of transposable elements in human genome evolution,” said Dr. Steve Hoffmann, a computational biologist. “It highlights the importance of studying TEs to understand human biology, genetic diseases, and evolution.”
The research has implications for understanding human development, disease susceptibility, and the discovery of novel therapies. By investigating how genomes have evolved, researchers can determine which DNA sequences have remained unchanged, been lost in time, or emerged recently.
As Dr. Fumitaka Inoue noted, “Our genome was sequenced long ago, but the function of many of its parts remain unknown.” The study’s findings are a significant step forward in understanding the complex and dynamic nature of our genetic code.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/09/science/ancient-viruses-junk-dna-primate-genome