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Updated: May 8, 2026
08:56
Combining Analysis of DNA in a Crude Virion Extraction with the Analysis of RNA from Infected Leaves to Discover New Virus Genomes
Published on: July 27, 2018
Comprehensive analysis of endogenous bornavirus-like elements in eukaryote genomes
Masayuki Horie1, Yuki Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Suzuki
1Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, , 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Summary
Ancient bornaviruses have left DNA traces, known as endogenous borna-like (EBL) elements, in vertebrate and invertebrate genomes. These viral remnants offer new insights into host-virus evolution and genome dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Bornaviruses are unique animal RNA viruses that persistently infect host cell nuclei.
- Studies of bornaviruses reveal insights into viral replication and host interactions.
- Ancient bornavirus-derived DNA sequences, termed endogenous borna-like (EBL) elements, are found in vertebrate genomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize data on EBL elements in eukaryotic genomes.
- To discuss the biological significance of EBL elements, particularly nucleoprotein elements in mammals.
- To explore the evolutionary impact of bornaviruses on host genomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of eukaryotic genomes for EBL elements.
- Identification of EBL nucleoprotein elements in mammalian genomes.
- Review of new data on non-retroviral integration of Borna disease virus.
Main Results:
- EBL elements have been newly identified across diverse eukaryotic genomes.
- EBL elements were unexpectedly detected in invertebrate genomes, expanding the known host range.
- Focus on EBL nucleoprotein elements in mammalian genomes provides specific insights.
Conclusions:
- Bornaviruses have influenced host genome evolution in previously unrecognized ways.
- EBL elements provide novel models for virology, evolutionary biology, and cell biology.
- The widespread presence of EBL elements suggests a broader host interaction of bornaviruses than previously assumed.
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