Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ariko Miyake, Minh Ha Ngo, Shelly Wulandari, Masayuki Shimojima, So Nakagawa, Junna Kawasaki, Kazuo Nishigaki
Summary: Host genetic resistance to viral infection controls the pathogenicity and epidemic dynamics of infectious diseases. Refrex-1 is a restriction factor that counteracts infection by feline leukemia virus subgroup D and domestic cat endogenous retroviruses. It competes for the entry receptor CTR1 and also shows antiviral effects against primate endogenous retroviruses. Additionally, truncated envelope genes found in various mammalian species can block infection by retroviruses. These findings highlight the convergent evolution of antiviral mechanisms acquired from ancient retroviruses.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Virology
Xiaojing Wang, Yicong Chen, Jie Cui
Summary: A novel endogenous foamy virus (CFEFV) was discovered in the genomes of sharks and rays, filling a major gap in the taxonomic investigation of Spumaretrovirinae. These findings reveal the aquatic origin of foamy viruses found in terrestrial vertebrates.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jun Bai, Zuo-zhen Yang, Hao Li, Yun Hong, Dong-dong Fan, Ai-fu Lin, Li-xin Xiang, Jian-zhong Shao
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide characterization of ERVs in the zebrafish model, revealing diverse and early-inserted ERVs, as well as unique ERVs with immune-relevant genes that respond strongly to virus infection. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary history of ERVs from fish to mammals.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jinghan Wang, Meng Ren, Jundan Yu, Mingtai Hu, Xiaojing Wang, Wencong Ma, Xiaoqing Jiang, Jie Cui
Summary: This study investigates the role of human endogenous retroviruses in gallbladder cancer, aiming to find new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ming-an Sun, Gernot Wolf, Yejun Wang, Anna D. Senft, Sherry Ralls, Jinpu Jin, Caitlin E. Dunn-Fletcher, Louis J. Muglia, Todd S. Macfarlan
Summary: The study identified numerous lineage-specific gene expression in different mammalian placentae, shedding light on the evolutionary process of placenta. The overlap between specific families of endogenous retroviruses and lineage-specific placental enhancers likely facilitates the lineage-specific evolution of the mammalian placenta.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Virology
Konstantina Kitsou, Pagona Lagiou, Gkikas Magiorkinis
Summary: Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are viral sequences integrated into the human genome, resulting from ancient exogenous retrovirus infection of human germ-line cells. Their aberrant expression is linked to human disease, including cancer. This review article discusses the presumed role of HERVs in carcinogenesis, their diagnostic and prognostic implications, and their potential as targets for cancer therapeutics. High-throughput sequencing approaches will further clarify HERV participation in human physiological and pathological processes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Roziah Kambol, Anna Gatseva, Robert J. Gifford
Summary: This study reports a previously unknown endogenous lentivirus lineage in the genome of the South African springhare, revealing that the host range of lentiviruses has historically extended to rodents. Through comparative and phylogenetic analysis of virus and host genomes, the long-term evolutionary history of the genus is further understood by considering biogeographic and ecological characteristics of host species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shabnam Ansari, Nidhi Gupta, Rohit Verma, Oinam N. Singh, Jyoti Gupta, Amit Kumar, Mukesh Kumar Yadav, Akshay Binayke, Mahima Tiwari, Neha Periwal, Vikas Sood, Shailendra Mani, Amit Awasthi, Shalimar, Baibaswata Nayak, C. T. Ranjith-Kumar, Milan Surjit
Summary: Coronavirus-induced disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global health challenge. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) play important roles in embryonic development and disease manifestation. This study found increased activity of several HERVs in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, while the HERV-R envelope was downregulated in cell-based models and COVID-19 patients. Overexpression of HERV-R inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is involved in regulating its antiviral activity. The crosstalk between ERK and p38 MAPK controls the synthesis of HERV-R envelope protein, which modulates SARS-CoV-2 replication.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Antoinette C. van der Kuyl
Summary: This study provides evidence for the adaptation of SERV retroviruses to germ line reproduction through sequence analysis of 81 SERV proviruses from Cercopithecinae Old World monkey genomes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sayumi Shimode
Summary: This review discusses the role of ERV-encoded proteins, particularly Syncytins and Suppressyn, in placental development and function. By examining how ERVs are inserted into the host genome and their contribution to the genetic mechanisms underlying placentogenesis, the review provides valuable insights into the molecular and genetic aspects of placentation.
Article
Oncology
Lisa Wieland, Kristina Engel, Ines Volkmer, Anna Kruger, Guido Posern, Malte E. Kornhuber, Martin S. Staege, Alexander Emmer
Summary: Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor outside the central nervous system in infants and children, with unique biological heterogeneity. A study showed that incubation of NB cell lines in stem cell medium led to increased expression of certain endogenous retroviruses, potentially related to tumor progression and therapy resistance.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Trevor T. Dean, Vitor Hugo B. Serrao, Jeffrey E. Lee
Summary: Retroviral elements from endogenous retroviruses play roles in mammalian physiology. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) infect cultured human cells and their envelope glycoprotein structure is well conserved, indicating a potential role in placental development.
Article
Microbiology
Trevor T. Dean, Vitor Hugo B. Serrao, Jeffrey E. Lee
Summary: Structural analysis of the fusion protein of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) provides insights into the fusion mechanism of the virus. The study determined the structure of the fusion domain of PERV, revealing its conservation with class I viral fusion proteins. Further analysis shows that class I viral fusion proteins cluster based on their mechanism of membrane fusion.
Review
Cell Biology
Kazuhiko Imakawa, Kazuya Kusama, Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino, So Nakagawa, Koichi Kitao, Takayuki Miyazawa, Fumitoshi Ishino
Summary: The main roles of placentas include physical protection, nutrient and oxygen import, export of gases and fetal waste products, and endocrinological regulation. The differences in placental structures have not been explained or characterized, even though genes and gene control elements have been co-opted to explain the structural diversities.
Article
Virology
Sharon E. Kessler, Kyriakos Tsangaras, Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, Ute Radespiel, Alex D. Greenwood
Summary: The flora and fauna of Madagascar have evolved in isolation, and using high-throughput sequencing, scientists have identified previously unknown retroviruses in the genomes of wild mouse lemurs. These viruses are present in both Lorisiformes and Lemuriformes but not in haplorrhine primates. The phylogenies of these viruses provide insights into their origin and suggest extensive cross-species transmission within the primate clade.
Review
Microbiology
Maria Bousali, George Papatheodoridis, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Timokratis Karamitros
Summary: HBV is an Old World virus with a high mutation rate, originating in Africa alongside Homo sapiens. It can lead to chronic infection by integrating its genome into host DNA, affecting various genes including those related to cell proliferation and oncogenes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christos P. Zampetidis, Panagiotis Galanos, Andriani Angelopoulou, Yajie Zhu, Aikaterini Polyzou, Timokratis Karamitros, Athanassios Kotsinas, Nefeli Lagopati, Ioanna Mourkioti, Reza Mirzazadeh, Alexandros Polyzos, Silvano Garnerone, Athanasia Mizi, Eduardo G. Gusmao, Konstantinos Sofiadis, Zita Gal, Dorthe H. Larsen, Dafni-Eleftheria Pefani, Marco Demaria, Aristotelis Tsirigos, Nicola Crosetto, Apolinar Maya-Mendoza, Angelos Papaspyropoulos, Konstantinos Evangelou, Jiri Bartek, Argyris Papantonis, Vassilis G. Gorgoulis
Summary: Oncogene-induced senescence is an important tumor suppressor mechanism, but if not timely removed, senescent cells may have detrimental effects. We found that replication stress-induced genomic instability may be a causative factor for escape from oncogene-induced senescence.
Article
Microbiology
Konstantina Kitsou, Anastasia Kotanidou, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Timokratis Karamitros, Aris Katzourakis, Richard Tedder, Tara Hurst, Spyros Sapounas, Athanassios Kotsinas, Vassilis Gorgoulis, Vana Spoulou, Sotirios Tsiodras, Pagona Lagiou, Gkikas Magiorkinis
Summary: Severe COVID-19 pneumonia is associated with intense inflammatory responses, and research has shown dysregulation of HERVs in BALF samples of COVID-19 patients. Specifically, upregulation of HERV-FRD was observed in the BALF samples, highlighting a potential pathophysiological role in inflammatory pathways in the lungs affected by SARS-CoV-2.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Bousali, Timokratis Karamitros
Summary: This study investigated the preferential integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) into specific genes and evaluated their contribution to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The results suggested that 15 genes are frequently affected by HBV integrations and significantly associated with HBV-HCC.
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Petter Brodin, Giorgio Casari, Liam Townsend, Cliona O'Farrelly, Ivan Tancevski, Judith Loeffler-Ragg, Trine H. Mogensen, Jean Laurent Casanova
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. Papadakis, A. K. Pantazis, N. Fikas, S. Chatziioannidou, V Tsiakalou, K. Michaelidou, V Pogka, M. Megariti, M. Vardaki, K. Giarentis, J. Heaney, E. Nastouli, T. Karamitros, A. Mentis, A. Zafiropoulos, G. Sourvinos, S. Agelaki, E. Gizeli
Summary: A device for real-time colorimetric LAMP was developed, combining the accuracy of lab-based quantitative analysis with the simplicity of point-of-care testing, featuring rapid analysis, high quantification, crude sample-compatibility, low detection limit, smartphone operation, fast prototyping, and dye selection capabilities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Gethsimani Papadopoulou, Eleni Manoloudi, Nikolena Repousi, Lemonia Skoura, Tara Hurst, Timokratis Karamitros
Summary: This review evaluates cellular and molecular data of COVID-19 and determines the significance of abnormal biomarkers in disease severity and persistence. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis reveals processes such as inflammatory response, monocyte, and neutrophil chemotaxis that are part of the complex immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Virology
Vasiliki Pogka, Gethsimani Papadopoulou, Vaia Valiakou, Dionyssios N. Sgouras, Andreas F. Mentis, Timokratis Karamitros
Summary: Targeted virome enrichment and sequencing (VirCapSeq-VERT) is an effective method for detecting DNA and RNA viruses in viral extracts. It has the ability to detect viruses with low genetic diversity and remove background genomic material. This method can potentially be used to discover emerging viruses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elissavet Akrioti, Timokratis Karamitros, Panagiotis Gkaravelas, Georgia Kouroupi, Rebecca Matsas, Era Taoufik
Summary: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by protein aggregation and neuronal death. It is now recognized that the disease involves more widespread neuronal dysfunction, including early and late non-motor symptoms. In vitro systems based on human-induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation have allowed researchers to monitor molecular changes at the neuronal precursor stage and suggest a neurodevelopmental component in synucleinopathies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Harry A. Thorpe, Elise Tourrette, Koji Yahara, Filipa F. Vale, Siqi Liu, Monica Oleastro, Teresa Alarcon, Tsachi-Tsadok Perets, Saeid Latifi-Navid, Yoshio Yamaoka, Beatriz Martinez-Gonzalez, Ioannis Karayiannis, Timokratis Karamitros, Dionyssios N. Sgouras, Wael Elamin, Ben Pascoe, Samuel K. Sheppard, Jukka Ronkainen, Pertti Aro, Lars Engstrand, Lars Agreus, Sebastian Suerbaum, Kaisa Thorell, Daniel Falush
Summary: Helicobacter pylori has recently spread out of Africa, replacing deleterious variants that accumulated during the original out of Africa migrations more than 50,000 years ago.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Bousali, Vasiliki Pogka, Giannis Vatsellas, Theodoros Loupis, Emmanouil Athanasiadis, Katerina Zoi, Dimitris Thanos, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Andreas Mentis, Timokratis Karamitros
Summary: The first SARS-CoV-2 case in Greece was confirmed on February 26, 2020. This study aims to analyze the genetic variants circulating in Greece during the early days of the pandemic and the role of the first imported group of travelers. The findings highlight the importance of founder effects and molecular epidemiology approaches in understanding and combating future outbreaks.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Harry A. Thorpe, Elise Tourrette, Koji Yahara, Filipa F. Vale, Siqi Liu, Monica Oleastro, Teresa Alarcon, Tsachi-Tsadok Perets, Saeid Latifi-Navid, Yoshio Yamaoka, Beatriz Martinez-Gonzalez, Ioannis Karayiannis, Timokratis Karamitros, Dionyssios N. Sgouras, Wael Elamin, Ben Pascoe, Samuel K. Sheppard, Jukka Ronkainen, Pertti Aro, Lars Engstrand, Lars Agreus, Sebastian Suerbaum, Kaisa Thorell, Daniel Falush
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Elsa Papadimitriou, Paraskevi N. Koutsoudaki, Irini Thanou, Dimitra Karagkouni, Timokratis Karamitros, Dafni Chroni-Tzartou, Maria Gaitanou, Christos Gkemisis, Maria Margariti, Evangelia Xingi, Socrates J. Tzartos, Artemis G. Hatzigeorgiou, Dimitra Thomaidou
Summary: The study aims to investigate the role of miR-124 in driving direct reprogramming of astrocytes to induced neurons (iNs) and to elucidate its independent mechanism of action. The results show that miR-124 can directly target the RNA-binding protein Zfp36L1, which is involved in ARE-mediated mRNA decay, and derepress the neurogenic interactome of Zfp36L1, thus promoting the reprogramming of astrocytes towards an immature neuronal fate. Additionally, the addition of the neurogenic compound ISX9 enhances the effect of miR-124 on inducing neurogenesis. Importantly, miR-124 plays a significant role in guiding the direct conversion of reactive astrocytes to immature iNs in vivo after cortical trauma, and ISX9 supplementation improves the survival of newly produced iNs.