Human endogenous retroviruses: our genomic fossils and companions

Physiological Genomics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 55(6), P. 249 - 258

Published: May 8, 2023

Approximately 8% of the human genome, over four times more than its protein-coding regions, comprises sequences viral origin that are known as endogenous retroviral elements (HERVs). Present in genome all cells, HERVs resulted from integration now-extinct exogenous retroviruses into mammalian ancestor germ cells or their precursors on several occasions, sometimes long tens millions years ago. Most have become silenced because mutations such substitutions, insertions, deletions, and a result epigenetic changes, vertically transmitted population. Considered for time to be part "junk DNA," were shown, recent years, perform critical functions host. Two very few encode functional proteins, syncytin-1 syncytin-2, during embryogenesis, when they contribute formation placenta facilitate tolerance maternal immune system toward developing fetus. Homologs syncytin-encoding genes described other species, it appears evolution stably endogenized respective genomes multiple occasions became co-opted physiological functions. The aberrant expression has been linked conditions include infectious, autoimmune, malignant, neurological diseases. HERVs, our genomic fossils storytellers, provide fascinating somewhat mysterious insight co-evolution with viruses, will undoubtedly offer many teachings, surprises, paradigm changes come.

Language: Английский

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Wildlife endogenous retroviruses: colonization, consequences, and cooption

Trends in Genetics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 40(2), P. 149 - 159

Published: Nov. 19, 2023

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are inherited genomic remains of past germline retroviral infections. Research on human ERVs has focused medical implications their dysregulation various diseases. However, recent studies incorporating wildlife yielding remarkable perspectives long-term retrovirus–host interactions. These initial forays into broader taxonomic analysis, including sequencing multiple individuals per species, show the incredible plasticity and variation within among species. This demonstrates that stochastic processes govern much vertebrate genome. In this review, we elaborate discoveries pertaining to ERV origins evolution, genome colonization, consequences for host biology.

Language: Английский

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Koala retrovirus genetic diversity and transmission: advice for breeders. In Proceedings of the Second Koala Retrovirus Workshop, ed. D. E. Alquezar-Planas, D. P. Higgins, C. L. Singleton, and A. D. Greenwood

Technical Reports of the Australian Museum online, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38, P. 11 - 14

Published: June 20, 2023

The rapid spread of koala retrovirus (KoRV) across Australia and international zoo populations has necessitated appropriate control measures. Along with pathogenicity, the genetic diversity virus how it transmits between animals also needs to be considered when deciding most suitable Next generation sequencing become gold standard approach for KoRV studies due high sensitivity, accuracy, throughput. This identified a large proportion known provided broader understanding prevalence abundance within (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations, specifically identifying individuals low diversity. Recent evidence demonstrated that exogenous from mother joey, likely through ingestion milk and/or pap, koalas are not acquire additional subtypes/sequences later in life. finding strongly indicates breeding negative or endogenous KoRV-A positive only females is best chance at alleviating worldwide. Captive breeders therefore urged determine profile all included their program deep methods (where feasible) use this inform future regimes.

Language: Английский

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Technical Reports of the Australian Museum online, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38

Published: June 20, 2023

This issue of Technical Reports the Australian Museum Online number 38 (2023) has twelve peer-reviewed papers, edited by David E. Alquezar-Planas, Damien P. Higgins, Cora L. Singleton, and Alex D. Greenwood, a discussion summary, from Second Koala Retrovirus Workshop held online, 25–27 May 2021. The First was in San Diego 2013 with series papers published 24 (2014). Biology veterinary specialists together assessed discussed then state knowledge koala retrovirus (KoRV) formed professional bridges networks. Much progress been made years since due to expanding international collaborations. COVID-19 forced online. Again 2021, presenters were invited write short based on their presentations, resulting present articles. Additionally, discussions workshop presentations highlighted current knowledge, information gaps, recommendations for ways move forwards, all summarized this volume.

Language: Английский

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Investigation of koala retrovirus in captive koalas with pneumonia and comparative analysis of subtype distribution

Archives of Virology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 168(12)

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Language: Английский

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