The diversity of endogenous viral elements in insects

We provide an overview of the currently known diversity of viral sequences integrated into insect genomes. Such endogenous viral elements (EVE) have so far been annotated in at least eight insect orders and can be assigned to at least three families of RNA viruses, and three families of single-stranded DNA viruses. The study of these EVE has already produced important insights into insect-virus interactions, including the discovery of a new form of adaptive antiviral immunity. Insect EVE diversity will continue to increase as new insect genomes and exogenous viruses are sequenced, which will continue to make paleovirology a vibrant research field in this group of animals in the years to come.

Automated summary

The study revealed the diversity of viral sequences integrated into insect genomes, which can be assigned to different families of RNA and single-stranded DNA viruses. Research on these endogenous viral elements has provided important insights into insect-virus interactions, highlighting the discovery of a new form of adaptive antiviral immunity. The diversity of insect EVE is expected to continue increasing with the sequencing of new insect genomes and exogenous viruses, making paleovirology a dynamic research field in the future.