Retrovirus – host interactions and evolution

The purpose of this research is to generate new knowledge about virus-host interactions and evolution by studying variation in the endogenous retrovirus (ERV) record within and across host populations.

Retroviruses convert their RNA genome to proviral DNA, which integrates as a permanent part in the host nuclear DNA to produce new viruses.

As follows, retroviruses have infiltrated hosts during millions of years by occasional integrations in germline, which were inherited by host offspring through generations as ERVs.

Research on ERVs is currently experiencing a massive interdisciplinary growth owing to recent advances in sequencing technology.

Here we investigate the abundant ERV record, which covers large fractions of host DNA and represents retrovirus diversity at the time of germline infiltration, for a remarkable perspective of virus-host interactions and evolution.

We examine ERVs as measures of past retrovirus-host interactions, and evaluate how the ERV record differs within and across host populations.

ERVs, including novel and segregating integrations in host populations, are aligned with host genome annotations to uncover ERVs that were repurposed as novel genes, contributing to host defense against infection, and as platforms for host gene expression and evolution.

Results are expected to generate new broad research directions integrating ERVs and infectious viruses with host biology for improved understanding in many areas of biological and biomedical research.