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Chen G, Yu D, Yang Y, Li X, Wang X, Sun D, Lu Y, Ke R, Zhang G, Cui J, Feng S. Adaptive expansion of ERVK solo-LTRs is associated with Passeriformes speciation events. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3151. [PMID: 38605055 PMCID: PMC11009239 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are ancient retroviral remnants integrated in host genomes, and commonly deleted through unequal homologous recombination, leaving solitary long terminal repeats (solo-LTRs). This study, analysing the genomes of 362 bird species and their reptilian and mammalian outgroups, reveals an unusually higher level of solo-LTRs formation in birds, indicating evolutionary forces might have purged ERVs during evolution. Strikingly in the order Passeriformes, and especially the parvorder Passerida, endogenous retrovirus K (ERVK) solo-LTRs showed bursts of formation and recurrent accumulations coinciding with speciation events over past 22 million years. Moreover, our results indicate that the ongoing expansion of ERVK solo-LTRs in these bird species, marked by high transcriptional activity of ERVK retroviral genes in reproductive organs, caused variation of solo-LTRs between individual zebra finches. We experimentally demonstrated that cis-regulatory activity of recently evolved ERVK solo-LTRs may significantly increase the expression level of ITGA2 in the brain of zebra finches compared to chickens. These findings suggest that ERVK solo-LTRs expansion may introduce novel genomic sequences acting as cis-regulatory elements and contribute to adaptive evolution. Overall, our results underscore that the residual sequences of ancient retroviruses could influence the adaptive diversification of species by regulating host gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangji Chen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Yu
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Genomic Research, International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Yang
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Xiang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Danyang Sun
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Genomic Research, International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanlin Lu
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Genomic Research, International Institutes of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rongqin Ke
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361021, China
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, China
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Institute of Infection and Health Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China.
- Shanghai Sci-Tech Inno Center for Infection & Immunity, Shanghai, 200052, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shaohong Feng
- Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiashan, China.
- Department of General Surgery of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Shin W, Mun S, Han K. Human Endogenous Retrovirus-K (HML-2)-Related Genetic Variation: Human Genome Diversity and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2150. [PMID: 38136972 PMCID: PMC10742618 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) comprise a significant portion of the human genome, making up roughly 8%, a notable comparison to the 2-3% represented by coding sequences. Numerous studies have underscored the critical role and importance of HERVs, highlighting their diverse and extensive influence on the evolution of the human genome and establishing their complex correlation with various diseases. Among HERVs, the HERV-K (HML-2) subfamily has recently attracted significant attention, integrating into the human genome after the divergence between humans and chimpanzees. Its insertion in the human genome has received considerable attention due to its structural and functional characteristics and the time of insertion. Originating from ancient exogenous retroviruses, these elements succeeded in infecting germ cells, enabling vertical transmission and existing as proviruses within the genome. Remarkably, these sequences have retained the capacity to form complete viral sequences, exhibiting activity in transcription and translation. The HERV-K (HML-2) subfamily is the subject of active debate about its potential positive or negative effects on human genome evolution and various pathologies. This review summarizes the variation, regulation, and diseases in human genome evolution arising from the influence of HERV-K (HML-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonseok Shin
- NGS Clinical Laboratory, Division of Cancer Research, Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
- Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seyoung Mun
- Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
- College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Center for Bio-Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyudong Han
- Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
- Center for Bio-Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioconvergence Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Republic of Korea
- R&D Center, HuNBiome Co., Ltd., Seoul 08507, Republic of Korea
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Costa B, Vale N. Exploring HERV-K (HML-2) Influence in Cancer and Prospects for Therapeutic Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14631. [PMID: 37834078 PMCID: PMC10572383 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review investigates the intricate role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in cancer development and progression, explicitly focusing on HERV-K (HML-2). This paper sheds light on the latest research advancements and potential treatment strategies by examining the historical context of HERVs and their involvement in critical biological processes such as embryonic development, immune response, and disease progression. This review covers computational modeling for drug-target binding assessment, systems biology modeling for simulating HERV-K viral cargo dynamics, and using antiviral drugs to combat HERV-induced diseases. The findings presented in this review contribute to our understanding of HERV-mediated disease mechanisms and provide insights into future therapeutic approaches. They emphasize why HERV-K holds significant promise as a biomarker and a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Costa
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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