8 percent of human DNA comes from viruses, which may be good for immunity
It is not a new idea that microbes, such as those found in the skin and gut, can contribute to human health. In fact, scientists also have discovered The virus that spawned hundreds of thousands of DNA fragments within the human body is responsible for many of these fragments. They were embedded in the human bodies long ago and passed on from generation to generation. “endogenous retroviruses”.
What does viral DNA do for the human body? In fact, these foreign genetic material may play a significant role in the evolution of our species. boosting human immunity.
Yuanyu Jeng is a former attending physician at Taipei Veterans General Hospital’s Department of Infectious Disease.
A Study in Science Journal: Fragments from Viral DNA Protect against Viral Infection
A study Published in Science Suppressyn, a protein known as, was discovered to protect human cells from the RD114 virus in October 2022.
Suppressyn can be made by the body. However, scientists have determined that the virus that created the DNA responsible for producing Suppressyn was introduced into the body by an infected virus. They believe that virus invasion began in our ancestors. Because it infects germ cells, the virus can be passed on from one generation to another. This virus gene is present in humans today.
Everyone is born with the viral genes passed down from their ancestors. Research has shown that approximately 8 percent of human genetic information is made up of endogenous retroviruses.
What Does Retroviral Invasion Do to Cellular DNA?
The essential substance ribonucleic Acid (RNA), can be produced by the human body. constitutes the human body—proteins. “Transcription” Refers to the way in which the human body creates RNA using DNA.
Protecting the DNA of the body is essential. Therefore, scientists believed that the process of converting DNA to RNA was irreversible and unidirectional.
Scientists were however taken by surprise when they discovered that “retroviruses”These viruses can also use human cells, so you will need to make DNA fragments and then place them in the cells’ DNA. Also, it is possible to infiltrate and alter DNA within cells of an organism.
Retroviruses are able to insert their genetic information into human cells’ DNA, changing their DNA.
Common retroviruses include the HIV virus which causes AIDS, and the hepatitis B viral that causes hepatitis.
Are Viruses that alter human DNA capable of turning people into viruses? ‘Mutants’?
The human DNA will be altered to make people into a new species. “mutants”, “cyborgs” Oder “zombies” Like what you see in movies?
No.
For example, the hepatitis B viral infection only alters liver cells while HIV targets helper cells. Other cells’ DNA is not affected. In other words, the DNA of the patient’s offspring will not be affected by the viruses.
However, if a retrovirus infects germ cells, such as spermatogonia or oogonia, and alters their DNA, the alterations can be passed on to the patient’s offspring and then passed down from generation to generation.
All of us were born with viral DNA inherited from our ancestors infected by the virus. They are named “endogenous” Retroviruses as the DNA information are known. “naturally” present in our bodies.
The origin of the endogenous retroviral bits in human DNA can be traced back to our ancestors. Other animals like pigs and monkeys have endogenous retrovirus information.
Is it possible for Viral Genes to be passed on from our Ancestors to cause Infection?
Scientists thought they might be a form of foreign virus fragments in the human genome when it was first discovered. “fossils” They were left over from old viruses and were no longer functional. These viral infections can be overcome by humans and other animals. But they are unable to get rid of foreign DNA. “residues”.
Human endogenous viruses have not yet been shown to be pathogenic or infective, but it has been demonstrated that human cells can make a viral entity called human retrovirus K.
Even though this virus is the most complete, it’s only one that has been discovered. However, endogenous Retroviruses can account for up to 8% of human DNA. Human cells can also make other retrovirus components, including RNA fragments as well as protein particles.
Another way to look at it is that some of the DNA from these viruses has become corrupted, some have become inactive and some are even beneficial for humans.
Endogenous Retroviruses have both good effects and bad effects on human bodies
One example is syncytin, a protein produced by the body that stabilizes placental structure. Women who are not syncytin-deficient will suffer from placenta-related diseases and conditions, including miscarriage and fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia.
Studies have shown that the gene that encodes Syncytin is inherited from an endogenous retrovirus. This means that syncytin was a critical stability factor in human reproduction.
Some diseases such as multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may also be affected by syncytin abnormalities.
Research also showed that other endogenous retroviral elements may be linked to autoimmune disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
It is possible that the viruses inherited by humans were first created. “invaders” Our ancestors. These genes are slowly accepted by the immune systems as they are passed down from one generation to the next.
If so, can the immune system consider these viral genes to be foreign? “invaders” You launch an attack and cause autoimmune diseases Recent studies suggest that this association is possible.
However, the principle of “mutual promotion and mutual restraint” Taoism teaches that there are pros and cons to every thing.
What is the upside to a virus gene embedded in human DNA? It allows the immune system’s to respond sooner by creating an environment similar to a virus invasion.
Endogenous Retroviruses Use Ordinary cells to Fight Viruses
The benefits of endogenous retroviral gene therapy to the human body are discussed in the following Science Study has shown that Suppressyn is a protein that has antiviral properties. It was derived from endogenous retroviral gene.
The study It was also discovered that embryonic stem cells and placental cells are high in Suppressyn gene expression. This is what makes the Suppressyn proteins. This means that the human body is capable of fighting viruses even though it is still embryonic, something that was not thought possible in the past.
What is the best way to fight viral infections with Suppressyn?
Researchers discovered that the RD114 virus is a common feline virus, especially in domestic cats. The virus can attach to the ASCT2 receptor and infect human cells. Suppressyn may be used to inhibit the ASCT2 receptor binding and prevent the virus from infecting cells.
Of course, Suppressyn’s antiviral properties are just an example. The human body contains more than 100,000 DNA fragments from endogenous retroviruses. These help the immune system fight off viruses in multiple ways.
Viral invasion can trigger the body to make antibodies with high binding capacities. It is one function of the acquired immunity system.
It is called what? “acquired” immunity? This is because, when the body is exposed to a disease agent, the immune system must first identify its characteristics before it can create antibodies. “acquired learning”. The human body takes time to produce antibodies. However, antibodies can only fight one target.
After the virus infects the body, it produces double-strandedRNA. This can activate and trigger the innate immune system, and increase antiviral abilities. Because the process doesn’t require identification of specific viruses, the innate immune response can have a wide effect. When acquired immunity fails, innate immunity can be quickly used to fight off viral infections.
Some cells can activate endogenous retroviral genes and express double-strandedRNA. This allows the immune system to respond more strongly when foreign viruses invade. These findings were made in cell experiments using influenza A.
There are other ways that endogenous retroviruses, which are based on human DNA, can fight viruses. “receptor interference” Below are the details.
A virus can invade a cell in many ways. It replicates rapidly and then leaves. Human cells have the ability to use endogenous retroviral gene to make a variety of virus-like compounds that can occupy the locations where viruses need to bind. Other components can also interfere with viral activity. These include the process of replication.
Each cell of the human body actually has complete DNA information. It includes DNA fragments of all endogenous Retroviruses. These viral DNAs can be used by many cells within the body. This is the equivalent of launching an “all-out anti-virus defense” Instead of relying on immune cells, you can use ordinary cells from the human body.
Endogenous retroviruses may be useful in the detection of cancer
It is possible that fragments of endogenous retroviruses found in human DNA could have another purpose.
These endogenous retroviral genes are especially prone to being activated by cancer cells. It is unclear if cancer cells develop from these genes activating abnormally or if they have them activated.
There is another difference between cancer cells, and normal cells that may be possible to use. This is because these genes’ expression products are an ancient virus component and, on the basis existing cancer immunotherapy they can induce immune system target endogenous retroviral gene activation in cancer cells. This is a promising approach for cancer treatment.
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