We humans are 8% virus as 8% of human DNA is a virus as 8% of the human genome is made up of remnants of ancient viruses that are called Human Endogenous Retroviruses or HERVs, which are also integrated into our human ancestors DNA millions of years ago and were then passed down, and have became part of our own genetic code and some play roles in evolution, disease and development.
Genetic fossils are viral sequences are like fossil DNA, inactive remnants from past infections, which got stuck in our germline cells and were inherited.
These viral fragments have influenced human evolution and our biology, with some also contributing to immune responses and other functions and some HERVs are also reactivated in certain cancers and autoimmune diseases, which show that they are not entirely dormant.
Although 8% of human DNA is viral, another significant portion of HUMAN DNA or around 40% of human genome is repetitive DNA that is also believed to have viral origins, which highlight that viruses have profound and ongoing impact on our human genetic makeup.
The hidden viruses in our DNA could be medicine's next big breakthrough is the Human Endogenous Retroviruses or HERVs and Junk DNA Reimagined.
Junk DNA Reimagined, which was once considered useless, are viral sequencers that are now seen as being crucial genetic regulators, with some elements like the LTR10 fragment acting as enhancers which turn on cancer related genes.
HERVs or Human Endogenous Retroviruses are remnants of ancient retroviruses which infected our ancestors millions of years ago and they also integrated their genetic material into our own DNA, which makes up around 8% of the human genome.
HERVs or Human Endogenous Retroviruses are now emerging as a major breakthrough source for therapies and even diagnostics, especially in cancer, neurodegeneration and autoimmunity, but offering new targets like the HERV-K Env protein, or even acting as triggers for the body's immune system when reactivated by conditions like VHL mutations in kidney cancer, which reveal "junk DNA" potential in medication.
HERV proteins that are reactivated on cancer cell surfaces can flag tumors for immune attack, which offers new avenues for immunotherapy, especially in kidney cancers.
The unique structure of HERV-K Env protein's is being studied for new cancer diagnostics.
HERVs are also implicated in autoimmune disorders and neurodegeneration, with startups also exploring them for treatments.
Their activation can also be linked to disease, which provide targets to block or leverage.
Decoding of viral protein structures like HERV-K Env, provides blueprints for designing drugs.
And understanding how these elements interact with our genes can also potentially lead to new ways of controlling gene expression.
The most recently active HERV group, it's proteins are found on cancer as well as autoimmune cells.
And an ancient retroviral fragment which turns on cancer genes, is also found in many cancers that are common.
Scientists are basically unlocking the dark genome, in order to find therapeutic opportunities, and are viewing these viral fossils not as threats, but instead as hidden tools to fight off disease.