Peek inside the human genome and, among the 20,000 or so genes that serve as building blocks of life, you'll also find flecks of DNA left behind by viruses that infected primate ancestors tens of millions of years ago. These ancient hitchhikers, known as endogenous retroviruses, were long considered inert or 'junk' DNA, defanged of any ability to do damage. New CU Boulder research published July 17 in the journal Science Advances shows that, when reawakened, they can play a critical role in helping cancer survive and thrive.
The study also suggests that silencing certain endogenous retroviruses can make cancer treatments work better. Our study shows that diseases today can be significantly influenced by these ancient viral infections that until recently very few researchers were paying attention to." Edward Chuong, senior author, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at CU's BioFrontiers Institute Studies show about 8% of the human genome is made up of endogenous retroviruses that slipped into the cells of our evolutionary ancestors, coaxing their hosts to copy and carry their genetic material.
Over time, they infiltrated sperm, eggs and embryos, baking their DNA like a fossil record into generations to come -;and shaping evolution along the way. Even though they can no longer produce functional viruses, Chuong's own research has shown that endogenous retroviruses can act as "switches" that turn on nearby genes. Some have contributed to the deve.
