The epidemic that spread intercontinental 15,000,000 years ago is still with us

The virus from millions of years ago; From humans to chimpanzees, from pigs to pandas including relatives of each animal struck countless ancient mammals.

This prehistoric virus went extinct about 15 million years ago, but inactive parts of its DNA remain has managed to survive until today. Let’s see what this virus is and how it continues to live in our bodies.

Almost 8% of our genome consists of the genetic sequences of retroviruses that infected our ancestors.

Any retrovirus, including modern ones such as HIV, requires a DNA copy of its own RNA genome to replicate. insertion into the host cell’s DNA must.

This viral genetic material is not usually passed from generation to generation, but it may be possible if retroviruses acquire the ability to infect germ cells, such as eggs or sperm, that pass their DNA on to future generations. If retroviruses successfully enter germ cells, they will eventually into the population’s genome They can settle.

One of the most successful examples of this is the virus that spread 15 to 30 years ago.

In 2016, scientists searched for fossil remains of ERV-Fc (the virus that spread 15-30 million years ago). genomes of 50 mammals scanned. He found that the virus was present in the ancestors of at least 28 of them, including pig, lemur, squirrel monkey, baboon, human, dog, panda, chimpanzee and marmoset relatives.

Even more interesting, the virus did not infect all these mammal relatives even once. between species He jumped more than 20 times. In short, a transcontinental epidemic has occurred, affecting mammals on every continent except Australia and remote parts of Antarctica.

What is the status of ERV-Fc today?

Although this virus does not have any effect on human health today, a part of its genetic material is in our genome. It stands motionless. Mammalian genomes contain hundreds of thousands of ancient viruses similar to ERV-Fc, experts say.

Additionally, examining retroviruses such as ERV-Fc, We need to make progress in our approach to today’s diseases such as HIV. provides.

Our other content that may interest you: