US EditionAncient Viral MER11_G4 Elements Drive Gene Activation in Primates
JAPAN, AUG 10 – Researchers found that about 8% of the human genome consists of ancient viral DNA that acts as genetic switches influencing early development and evolution, study shows.
- In the journal Science Advances, researchers showed that ancient viral DNA long dismissed as genetic junk controls gene activation during early human development.
- Researchers note that these sequences are remnants of endogenous retroviruses, which originate from ancient viral insertions and comprise about 45% of the human genome.
- Researchers discovered that MER11_G4 exhibits strong ability to activate gene expression in human stem and neural cells, supporting MER11 functions as a genetic switch.
- Such results support that ancient viral DNA evolved into tools our bodies now use and could reshape how we understand gene regulation and human evolution.
- Future work may link Transposable elements to human diseases and guide gene therapy, with deeper genome regulation insight potentially enabling novel therapies and interventions.
53 Articles
53 Articles
By Taylor Nicioli, CNN The human genome is made up of 23 pairs of chromosomes, the biological blueprints that make up humans. But it turns out that some of our DNA—about 8%—is remnants of ancient viruses that embedded themselves in our genetic code over the course of human evolution. These ancient viruses are found in sections of our DNA called transposable elements, or TEs, also known as “jumping genes” because of their ability to copy and past…
New study reveals hidden regulatory roles of “junk” DNA
A new international study suggests that ancient viral DNA embedded in our genome, which were long dismissed as genetic “junk”, may actually play powerful roles in regulating gene expression. Focusing on a family of sequences called MER11, researchers from Japan, China, Canada, and the US have shown that these elements have evolved to influence how genes turn on and off, particularly in early human development.
Study reveals hidden regulatory roles of 'junk' DNA
A new international study suggests that ancient viral DNA embedded in our genome, which were long dismissed as genetic "junk," may actually play powerful roles in regulating gene expression. Focusing on a family of sequences called MER11, researchers from Japan, China, Canada, and the US have shown that these elements have evolved to influence how genes turn on and off, particularly in early human development.
Scientists just discovered a secret code hidden in your DNA
What scientists once dismissed as junk DNA may actually be some of the most powerful code in our genome. A new international study reveals that ancient viral DNA buried in our genes plays an active role in controlling how other genes are turned on or off, especially during early human development. These sequences, originally from long-extinct viruses, have evolved to act like tiny genetic switches. Using new analysis tools and large-scale experi…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 96% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
