5 ms·

Does this happen with lots of viruses or just SARS-CoV-2? Seems like it’s pretty rare and would not be a whole copy of the virus or that many cells, surely it w

Does this happen with lots of viruses or just SARS-CoV-2? Seems like it’s pretty rare and would not be a whole copy of the virus or that many cells, surely it would just be a small percentage to the point where it doesn’t matter?

gpvos 5y ago
Yes, there are several types of viruses that purposely insert things into DNA. In fact, a significant part (more than half?) of our DNA comes from viruses (but is inactive). Coronaviruses are not known to do this, so I'd bet on a lab error for now. But it is conceivable.
- chme 5y ago
  Not sure where you all get your numbers from, when it is even explicitly mentioned in the posted article: > The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.
- coldacid 5y ago
  This isn't a case of the viruses themselves purposely inserting their code into our DNA, but rather enzymes that we produce ourselves doing it.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
Ovah 5y ago
It happens frequently with retroviruses. In fact 5-8% of the human genome is from (ancient) retrovirii. Coronavirus however is a completely different class of virus which makes it interesting, at least to me.
- chme 5y ago
  Well the article even states: > The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.
  - andy_ppp 5y ago
    Sure, I read that bit but I think it’s interesting that other coronaviruses are thought not to rewrite DNA.
- vMPQonVtAjLWmr 5y ago
  Sorry for the nitpick but virii is neither in Latin nor English a plural of virus. The Latin would be vira the English viruses. There are a couple of common variants floating around that probably originate from misunderstanding Latin.
  - failwhaleshark 5y ago
    Faux Latin and "Latin" declension is annoying because it's often just plain wrong.
    - dayofthedaleks 5y ago
      Don't let the bastards drag you down, man. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegitimi_non_carborundum https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegitimi_non_carborundum
      - failwhaleshark 5y ago
        :D I had actual Latin on a license plate frame on a sports car that roughly translated to "eat my dust/shit/detritus." I can't remember the exact tenses of the words, but it took me a while to get it right.
    - theon144 5y ago
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
brutos 5y ago
According to this thread from another virus expert [1], you can integrate pretty much every class of viruses in the system the authors of this paper used. [1] https://twitter.com/ArisKatzourakis/status/1390419619169673216 https://twitter.com/ArisKatzourakis/status/13904196191696732...
data_acquired 5y ago
Yes, happens a lot. HIV is a notable instance.
- vibrio 5y ago
  Yes, and birds fly frequently, but elephants don't seem too. All viruses are not the same, they are extremely diverse.
  - data_acquired 5y ago
    Lovable HN snarkiness here. I didn't say that every virus does it. Geez.
    - vibrio 5y ago
      Pardon the snark- it was not intended to be aggressive. I'm a microbiologist and have spent much of my life thinking about virus biology and pathogenesis. My perspective is skewed from general public but over the last year, the frequent casual comparisons between influenza, coronavirues, and other dramatically different viruses has heightened my sensitivity.
      - data_acquired 5y ago
        I guessed that you're a biologist (or have some kind of bio fascination) given your account handle ;) I'm a molecular biologist myself (more on the comp. side) for the last decade. HIV is certainly a special case given it codes its own RT enzyme. I get the sensitivity and the frustration --- the most minor, off-hand comment (such as the one I made) can potentially fuel all manner of conspiracy theory. I spent much of my morning dealing with a group of people on a shared group suddenly re-discovering the Plandemic documentary.

gpvos 5y ago

Yes, there are several types of viruses that purposely insert things into DNA. In fact, a significant part (more than half?) of our DNA comes from viruses (but is inactive). Coronaviruses are not known to do this, so I'd bet on a lab error for now. But it is conceivable.

chme 5y ago
Not sure where you all get your numbers from, when it is even explicitly mentioned in the posted article: > The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.
coldacid 5y ago
This isn't a case of the viruses themselves purposely inserting their code into our DNA, but rather enzymes that we produce ourselves doing it.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

Ovah 5y ago

It happens frequently with retroviruses. In fact 5-8% of the human genome is from (ancient) retrovirii. Coronavirus however is a completely different class of virus which makes it interesting, at least to me.

chme 5y ago
Well the article even states: > The enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is encoded by LINE-1 elements, sequences that litter 17% of the human genome and represent artifacts of ancient infections by retroviruses.
- andy_ppp 5y ago
  Sure, I read that bit but I think it’s interesting that other coronaviruses are thought not to rewrite DNA.
vMPQonVtAjLWmr 5y ago
Sorry for the nitpick but virii is neither in Latin nor English a plural of virus. The Latin would be vira the English viruses. There are a couple of common variants floating around that probably originate from misunderstanding Latin.
- failwhaleshark 5y ago
  Faux Latin and "Latin" declension is annoying because it's often just plain wrong.
  - dayofthedaleks 5y ago
    Don't let the bastards drag you down, man. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegitimi_non_carborundum https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegitimi_non_carborundum
    - failwhaleshark 5y ago
      :D I had actual Latin on a license plate frame on a sports car that roughly translated to "eat my dust/shit/detritus." I can't remember the exact tenses of the words, but it took me a while to get it right.
  - theon144 5y ago

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

brutos 5y ago

According to this thread from another virus expert [1], you can integrate pretty much every class of viruses in the system the authors of this paper used. [1] https://twitter.com/ArisKatzourakis/status/1390419619169673216 https://twitter.com/ArisKatzourakis/status/13904196191696732...

data_acquired 5y ago

Yes, happens a lot. HIV is a notable instance.

vibrio 5y ago
Yes, and birds fly frequently, but elephants don't seem too. All viruses are not the same, they are extremely diverse.
- data_acquired 5y ago
  Lovable HN snarkiness here. I didn't say that every virus does it. Geez.
  - vibrio 5y ago
    Pardon the snark- it was not intended to be aggressive. I'm a microbiologist and have spent much of my life thinking about virus biology and pathogenesis. My perspective is skewed from general public but over the last year, the frequent casual comparisons between influenza, coronavirues, and other dramatically different viruses has heightened my sensitivity.
    - data_acquired 5y ago
      I guessed that you're a biologist (or have some kind of bio fascination) given your account handle ;) I'm a molecular biologist myself (more on the comp. side) for the last decade. HIV is certainly a special case given it codes its own RT enzyme. I get the sensitivity and the frustration --- the most minor, off-hand comment (such as the one I made) can potentially fuel all manner of conspiracy theory. I spent much of my morning dealing with a group of people on a shared group suddenly re-discovering the Plandemic documentary.