A research headed by university of Colorado lead by bioinformitician Atma Ivancevic, discover that cancers can make use of some of the zombie viruses parts of our ancient gene for their own growth.
“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,” says genome biologist and senior author, Edward Chuong. Upon deactivating the undead LTR10 genes in both human and mouse colorectal tumor cells, cancer-promoting genes, such as XRCC4, which is implicated in resistance to treatment, were also rendered inactive. This improved the efficacy of medicines meant to reduce tumor size in mice.
After analyzing public databases on the epigenomes of 21 distinct cancer types, Ivancevic and her colleagues made a surprising discovery: a specific family of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), known as long terminal repeat 10 (LTR10), was highly active in cancer cells. This finding has significant implications for understanding how ancient viral elements, often referred to as “zombie viruses,” might influence cancer development and progression.
Zombie Viruses: The Hidden Drivers of Cancer
The LTR10 family of ERVs is a remnant of viral infections that affected our primate ancestors approximately 30 million years ago. Despite their ancient origins, these viral elements have been found to play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression within tumors. In a functional analysis conducted on a colorectal cancer cell line, researchers discovered that LTR10 controlled the expression of genes associated with malignancy development.
Ivancevic and her team propose that LTR10 functions as an epigenetic switch, modulating gene expression patterns within cancer cells. The presence of these “zombie viruses” in cancer cells appears to influence the activation of up to seventy cancer-associated genes. While the researchers could identify the specific genes regulated by LTR10, they could not confirm the direct link between these genes and the cancer’s development or metastasis.
The concept of zombie viruses—viral fragments from ancient infections that remain dormant within our genomes—has been gaining attention in recent years. These remnants, once thought to be mere “junk” DNA, are now recognized for their potential to impact gene regulation and contribute to various health issues. The reactivation of these zombie viruses as our immune defenses weaken with age may play a role in the onset of diseases, including cancer.
The Impact of Zombie Viruses on Human Health
The research highlights a crucial aspect of human biology: the role of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in regulating gene expression. ERVs were long considered remnants of ancient viral infections with no functional purpose. However, recent studies reveal that ERVs have contributed significantly to human evolution, particularly in the development of the placenta and the evolution of mammals.
Despite their evolutionary benefits, ERVs can also have detrimental effects, particularly when their activity is deregulated. The resurgence of these zombie viruses can lead to aberrant gene expression, contributing to various health problems, including cancer. As researchers delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying these ancient viral elements, they are uncovering new insights into how these zombie viruses might influence disease processes.
Chuong, a researcher involved in the study, explains, “We know that cancer cells express a lot of genes that are not supposed to be on, but no one really knows what is turning them on. It turns out many of the switches turning them on are derived from these ancient viruses.” This statement underscores the growing understanding of the complex interplay between ancient viral remnants and modern disease mechanisms.
To fully understand the role of these zombie viruses in cancer and other health issues, further research is necessary. The current findings suggest that as we age, the reactivation of these viral fragments could contribute to a range of health problems. Researchers are calling for more studies, including those involving organoids derived from patient tissues, to better understand the connection between zombie viruses and cancer progression.
In summary, the discovery of active zombie viruses, such as LTR10, in cancer cells represents a significant step forward in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer. These ancient viral elements, once dismissed as mere remnants, are now recognized for their potential role in regulating gene expression and contributing to disease. As research continues, it may uncover new strategies for targeting these viral switches and developing innovative treatments for cancer and other diseases linked to the resurgence of zombie viruses.
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