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Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
Published on: September 13, 2018
Effects of retroviruses on host genome function
1Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. Patric.Jern@tufts.edu
Annual Review of Genetics
|August 13, 2008
Summary
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are ancient viral remnants comprising 7% of the human genome. While not direct evolutionary players, ERVs influence genome structure and host gene expression, with potential roles in health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral germline infections, now integrated into vertebrate genomes.
- These ERVs constitute a significant portion of the human genome (7-8%) and represent fossil records of past retroviral activity.
- While their evolutionary role is debated, ERVs are increasingly recognized for their impact on host genome structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted contributions of ERVs to host genome structure and function.
- To discuss the physiological effects of ERV integration and expression on the host transcriptome.
- To review the potential roles of ERVs in host health and disease, drawing parallels from animal models.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of ERV sequences and their genomic locations.
- Comparative genomics to study ERV evolution and integration patterns.
- Transcriptomic analysis to assess the impact of ERV expression on host gene regulation.
Main Results:
- ERVs can mediate recombination events, influencing genome structure and stability.
- ERV expression affects the host transcriptome, potentially altering physiological functions.
- Evidence suggests ERVs are associated with both beneficial physiological effects and certain diseases, though etiological roles in human disease require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- ERVs are significant components of host genomes with profound effects on genome structure and function.
- Their expression impacts host physiology and the transcriptome, with implications for health and disease.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise roles of ERVs as etiological agents or markers in human diseases.
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