Discovery of endogenous retroviruses in the genome of the red panda (<i>Ailurus fulgens</i>).

ABSTRACT: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are viral genomes that originate from the integration of exogenous retroviruses into host germ cells and can be stably inherited across generations. Despite being mostly incomplete and silent, several ERVs have been observed to play potential pathological roles in numerous diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and notably, cancer. Research has revealed the presence of ERVs in the genomes of nearly all mammals. However, the distribution and diversity of these retroviral genes in the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens) remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to identify and characterize ERV sequences in the red panda genome using bioinformatic methods. The results revealed the presence of 11 ERV sequences in the red panda g

SUBMITTER: Bao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12323578 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature