Science, Space and Technology News 2024
A new study found that the genetic code of the single-celled Amoebidium contains remnants of ancient giant viruses, offering insights into the genetic evolution of complex life. This discovery reveals that these viral genes, though potentially harmful, are kept inactive by chemical processes within Amoebidium’s DNA, suggesting a more intricate relationship between viruses and their hosts, which could impact our understanding of genetic evolution in other organisms, including humans.
Researchers have discovered remnants of ancient giant viruses in the genome of Amoebidium, a single-celled organism, suggesting that such viral sequences may have played a role in the evolution of complex life forms. This study highlights the dynamic relationship between viruses and their hosts, also reflecting on human genetics..
The microbe Amoebidium appalachense undergoing its developmental life cycle in the laboratory. The nuclei divide within a cell until maturity , when each nucleus becomes a single cell and the colony breaks giving rise to the progeny. Credit: Alex de MendozaThe researchers then investigated how widespread this phenomenon might be. They compared the genomes of several Amoebidium isolates and found significant variation in the viral content.
Amoebidium appalachense cells stained for DNA and actin , highlighting the cell membranes in the cellularization step of the colony. Credit: Alex de Mendoza
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