Virus-derived sequences incorporated into the genome of humans and other vertebrates can protect against infections, informs PLoS Pathogens.
Over the course of millions of years, retroviruses, as they reproduce, have introduced their genetic material into the genome of their host – vertebrates. Therefore, it is not difficult to explain the presence of sequences derived from them.
However, a team from the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton recently discovered that there are also very old sequences in the genomes of humans and other vertebrates from the deadly Ebola / Marburg and Born viruses. Viruses from these families do not introduce their genetic material into the host genome, so no one expected such a find.
5666 viral genes from all non-retroviral families were compared to the genomes of 48 vertebrates, including humans. Thus, it was possible to find 80 fragments of the viral genome in 19 different species. Almost all are descended from former members of the Ebola / Marburg or Born families, causing hemorrhagic fever and neurological disease. Some integrated into the host genome more than 40 million years ago, although it is not known how – some do not even penetrate the cell nucleus. It is possible that they are active and somehow protect the body against the viruses they come from (PAP).