Ancient viral DNA embedded in the human genome may boost people's susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
A study published in May in the journal Nature Communications zoomed in on human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) snippets of DNA that form approximately 8% of the modern human genome.
Psychiatric disorders tend to run in families, and studies of twins have also hinted that genetics plays a role in whether people develop them. Estimates suggest that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may have a heritability as high as 80%, meaning most of the variability seen in these disorders comes down to differences in people's genetics.
Specific versions of genes, or gene variants, have been tied to these disorders, but not much is known about the influence of HERVs.
Related: Common cold virus may predate modern humans, ancient DNA hints
"We were fascinated by the concept that [HERVs] existed in the human genome and so much was not known about them," study co-author Timothy Powell, a neuroscientist and molecular geneticist at King's College London, told Live Science.
HERVs are bits of viruses that have been woven into the human genome over evolutionary time, with the oldest examples introduced to our ancestors over 1.2 million years ago. Some HERVs are known to be switched on in cancer cells, and they may contribute to the disease; others are active in healthy tissues or play important roles in early development, so they're not necessarily all bad. Some HERVs are even active in the brain, but it's not yet clear what they're up to.
Get the worlds most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
Previously, scientists have studied the role of HERVs in psychiatric disorders by comparing the genetic material of individuals without such disorders with that of people affected by a given disorder. A drawback of this method, however, is that it doesn't account for the influence of environmental factors or other conditions a person may have. This makes it difficult to say with certainty that a given stretch of DNA, in isolation, is strongly associated with the disorder.
The new study used a different approach to weigh the effects of thousands of HERVs. The researchers accessed genetic data from previous studies that involved tens of thousands of people, as well as from postmortem brain tissue samples collected from nearly 800 patients with and without psychiatric disorders. They then studied which gene variants different individuals carried, noting whether they seemed to affect nearby HERVs.
They found that specific gene variants were associated with a higher risk of three psychiatric disorders schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. These variants also affected whether HERVs in the brain were "switched on" and to what degree.
"This [association] gives us much more certainty that the genetic differences we're seeing between cases and controls are more likely to be a true reflection of the biology of the disorder," Rodrigo Duarte, a research fellow at King's College London, told Live Science.
The team is the first to identify five new HERVs strongly tied to psychiatric disorders. Two were associated with schizophrenia, one was common to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and one was specific to major depressive disorder. These five HERVs are distinct from any previously linked with each of the conditions.
"It is a major advancement," said Dr. Avindra Nath, clinical director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke who was not involved in the study. "The way that we've been studying all these other neurological diseases, we need to look at them again using their technique," Nath told Live Science.
The study suggests that these HERVs enhance the chances of developing the disorders, but at this point, not much can be said for how much these genetic snippets boost an individual person's risk. Carrying one of the HERVs doesn't necessarily guarantee a person will be affected by the linked disorder.
Going forward, the group plans to manipulate HERV activity in brain cells in lab dishes to see whether they affect the way the neurons grow and form connections.
"From a genetic standpoint, it's an advancement of the field," Nath said. "But from a pathogenesis standpoint, much remains to be answered" about how the HERVs actually contribute to disease.
Ever wonder why some people build muscle more easily than others or why freckles come out in the sun? Send us your questions about how the human body works to community@livescience.com with the subject line "Health Desk Q," and you may see your question answered on the website!
See the original post:
'Fossil viruses' embedded in the human genome linked to psychiatric disorders - Livescience.com
- Episode 174: Rudy Tanzi talks about genetics, aging and the hallmarks of Alzheimers - IHMC - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Ocuphire and Opus Genetics merge to develop IRD gene therapy - Pharmaceutical Technology - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- The RD Fund Announces Ocuphire Pharma's Acquisition of Opus Genetics - PR Newswire - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- The RD Fund Announces Ocuphire Pharma's Acquisition of Opus Genetics - WV News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Faculty of Science | Protecting Canadas number one crop through genetics - UM Today - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Ocuphire and Opus Genetics merge to develop IRD gene therapy - Yahoo Finance - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Opinion | Fascinated by genetics? Where are the peas Trump made to fornicate? - The Washington Post - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Dietary restriction can extend lifespan but genetics matters more - Nature.com - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- 'They have much stronger players' - Bangladesh assistant coach bizarrely blames 'genetics' for lack of six hitters in the team - Sporting News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Medical Moment: Genetics and breast cancer with USA Health Genetic Counselor Cassie Gurganus - AOL - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Myriad Genetics Announces Five Research Collaborations to Study the Use of MRD Testing in Breast Cancer - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- An ideologically-based and misleading critique of how modern genetics is taught - Why Evolution Is True - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 Review: Bold But Beholden to Its Genetics - Newsweek - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Myriad Genetics Announces Third Patent Granted for Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) with Early Priority Date - GlobeNewswire - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Digbi Health Launches an SEC-regulated Offering, Giving Millions the Opportunity to Invest in Groundbreaking Genetics and Gut Microbiome-based Care... - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- The role of genetics in depression | Second Opinion - KCRW - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Tilapia genetics company Spring Genetics teams up with UK data firm to improve fish welfare - SeafoodSource - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Picky eating in kids is mostly due to genetics, study says - Motherly Inc. - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Research Shows That Fussy Eating In Children Is Mainly Influenced By Genetics - RTTNews - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Genetics colloquium: Chris Hittinger on the genomic making of metabolic niche breadth Sep. 11 - University of WisconsinMadison - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- NIH Recognizes Yales Expertise in the Genetics of Rare Diseases - Yale School of Medicine - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca Collaborate to Further Expand Global Access to Liquid Biopsy Testing - PR Newswire - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Medicines race dilemma: What science says about genetics and health [PODCAST] - Kevin MD - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Researchers want to unlock genetics of the worlds tiniest animals - Popular Science - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Sophia Genetics and AstraZeneca collaborate to expand liquid biopsy test rollout - Medical Device Network - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- From farm to future: Technology in genetics - National Hog Farmer - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Editorial: Plant biotechnology and genetics for sustainable agriculture and global food security - Frontiers - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- NSF Grant Brings Genetics Opportunities to Students in Alabama - Government Technology - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- SBUs Ben Luft brings Lyme expertise to seminal paper on bacterial genetics and evolution - TBR News Media - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- SOPHiA GENETICS to Present at the 22nd Annual Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference and 9th Annual TD Cowen FutureHealth Conference - PR Newswire - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Singapores National Precision Medicine (NPM) Programme Engages Oxford Nanopore to Advance Understanding of the Genetics of Singapores Multi-Ethnic... - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Fulgent Genetics Second Quarter 2024 Earnings: Beats Expectations - Yahoo Finance - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Stopped clinical trials give evidence for the value of genetics - Nature.com - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- What is DSD? Sex genetics and Olympic boxing controversy - Washington Examiner - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Fulgent Genetics Q2: Core Revenue Grows, but Profitability Is Still an Issue - The Motley Fool - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Viewpoint: Challenging yet another scientifically silly article claiming Black domination of sprinting and long distance running has nothing to do... - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Texas Company Trying To Resurrect Woolly Mammoths To Improve Genetics Of Bison - Cowboy State Daily - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Genetics confirms Berbers reached North Africa over 20,000 years ago; Arabs came in 7th Century CE - Down To Earth Magazine - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Unlocking plant genetics with telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies - Nature.com - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Carlo Ancelotti claims Jude Bellingham's 'genetics' are main reason behind Real Madrid & England superstar's meteoric rise to the top - Goal.com - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Genetics-based modeling estimates Idaho's wolf population was 1,150 in summer 2023 - Idaho Fish and Game - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Lung Cancer Research Foundation Joins Lung Cancer Advocacy Organizations and 23andMe to Launch Lung Cancer Genetics Study to Advance Research - PR... - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Fulgent Genetics (FLGT) Scheduled to Post Earnings on Friday - Defense World - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- SOPHIA GENETICS Announces Expanded Relationship with Canada-Based OncoHelix - Financial Times - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- LG Household & Health Care publishes research into the genetics of skin tone - GlobalCosmeticsNews - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Estonians gave their DNA to science now they're learning their genetic secrets - Nature.com - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Genetic clues to depression revealed in large study - PsyPost - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Move Over, Genghis Khan. Many Other Men Left Huge Genetic Legacies - Smithsonian Magazine - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- 3X4 Genetics Selected as Partner for Preeminent Cancer Research and Treatment Nonprofit, The Metabolic Terrain ... - BioSpace - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- NIFA Invests $6M in Animal Breeding, Genetics and Genomics | NIFA - National Institute of Food and Agriculture - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Arbel Harpak: Pursuing the Next Frontier in Genetics | Dell Medical School - Dell Medical School - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Coffee habits are partly linked to genetics, UC San Diego researchers say - NBC San Diego - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Advanced genetic tools help researchers ID new neurodevelopmental syndrome - Yale News - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Nutritious diet may protect against type 2 diabetes, regardless of genetics - News-Medical.Net - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Genome-wide association study identifies host genetic variants influencing oral microbiota diversity and metabolic ... - Nature.com - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Unlock the Secrets of Your DNA with Advanced Genetic Testing - North Forty News - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Modern and precise: Using gene editing to change the blueprint of an organism - Beef Magazine - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- The 'gene deserts' unravelling the mysteries of disease - BBC.com - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- UGA plant geneticists are tackling the climate crisis - Longview News-Journal - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Genetic Tests for Predicting Clopidogrel Response Gain Traction: AHA - TCTMD - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Bringing Gene Therapy to the Brain - The Scientist - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- The importance of the paradise fish in evolutionary and behavioral genetics research - Phys.org - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- What Is Fulgent Genetics, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:FLGT) Share Price Doing? - Yahoo Finance - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- UW initiative aims to bring together social sciences and genetics - Wisbusiness.com - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Women have a higher genetic risk for PTSD, according to study by VCU and Swedish researchers - VCU News - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Genetics study points to potential treatments for restless leg syndrome - University of Cambridge news - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- deCODE genetics: The rate, nature and transmission of mitochondrial DNA mutations in humans - PR Newswire - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Genetic association mapping leveraging Gaussian processes | Journal of Human Genetics - Nature.com - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Minimally destructive hDNA extraction method for retrospective genetics of pinned historical Lepidoptera specimens ... - Nature.com - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Restless legs syndrome tied to 140 'hotspots' in the genome - Livescience.com - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Paired tumor-germline testing can enhance patient carewith guidance from genetics specialists - The Cancer Letter - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Improved functional mapping of complex trait heritability with GSA-MiXeR implicates biologically specific gene sets - Nature.com - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Genetic Risk Score Revolutionizes TNBC Prediction in Black Women - Targeted Oncology - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Gene variants and breast cancer risk in Black women - National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- GSA-MiXeR: A powerful tool to improve our understanding of heritable traits and diseases - News-Medical.Net - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Understanding the effect genetics have on Alzheimer's - Buffalo News - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Profile: Ardoin's genetics provided gift for writing, and his versatility made him legendary - crescentcitysports.com - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Genes Link Sleep Patterns to Autism and Bipolar Disorder - Neuroscience News - June 9th, 2024 [June 9th, 2024]
- Tilapia genetics: a comparative trial between two strains in Brazil - The Fish Site - June 1st, 2024 [June 1st, 2024]
- New genetic cause of intellectual disability potentially uncovered in 'junk DNA' - Livescience.com - June 1st, 2024 [June 1st, 2024]