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The enemy within: dormant retroviruses awaken

Rosemary

Senior Member
Messages
193
The enemy within: dormant retroviruses awaken
http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v16/n5/full/nm0510-517.html

Mammalian genomes harbor regulatory elements from ancient retroviral infections. These retroviral remnants are normally silenced by DNA methylation—but this can change. Reactivation of one such element triggers the expression of a nearby oncogene during the development of Hodgkin's lymphoma (571–579).

http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v16/n5/full/nm.2129.html
Derepression of an endogenous long terminal repeat activates the CSF1R proto-oncogene in human lymphoma

Over 100 million years ago, retroviruses began their assault on mammals by infiltrating the mammalian genome. In defense, mammals developed the ability to recognize and silence transcription from these integrated retroviruses.
 

awol

Senior Member
Messages
417
Yes, I've found this interesting too. Even without XMRV, the retrovirus theory is worth looking into because herpes viruses are known to be able to reactivate endogenous retroviruses, and endogenous retroviruses can let loose dormant herpes viruses...hmm...feedback loop?