Ancient viral DNA may spark human life's first moments
Ancient viral DNA may spark human life's first moments, study suggests.
Why it matters
- Ancient viral DNA remnants play a crucial role in early human development.
- Shows how evolution repurposes old genetic material.
By the numbers
- Up to 9% of our DNA is from ancient viruses.
- LTR5Hs appeared around 5 million years ago.
- Disabling LTR5Hs caused developmental failure in a 3D model of a blastocyst.
The big picture
- Viral remnants integrated into our genome are essential for early development.
- Evolution repurposes old genetic material for new functions.
What they're saying
- One comment suggests support for the idea that viruses aren't alive but arise from internal RNA mechanisms.
Caveats
- Study used a model (blastoid) rather than actual human embryos.
- More research needed to confirm findings.
What’s next
- Further research to understand mechanisms and implications.