Paleovirology - Ghosts and gifts of viruses past.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Patel, Maulik R; Emerman, Michael; Malik, Harmit S

Source:

Current opinion in virology, Volume 1, Issue 4, p.304-309 (2011)

Keywords:

2011, Basic Sciences Division, Center-Authored Paper, Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Genomics Core Facility, Human Biology Division, Nov 11, November 2011, Shared Resources

Abstract:

The emerging field of paleovirology aims to study the evolutionary age and impact of ancient viruses (paleoviruses) on host biology. Despite a historical emphasis on retroviruses, paleoviral 'fossils' have recently been uncovered from a broad swathe of viruses. These viral imprints have upended long-held notions of the age and mutation rate of viruses. While 'direct' paleovirology relies on the insertion of viral genes in animal genomes, examination of adaptive changes in host genes that occurred in response to paleoviral infections provides a complementary strategy for making 'indirect' paleovirological inferences. Finally, viruses have also impacted host biology by providing genes hosts have domesticated for their own purpose.