Diversity, evolution and transcription of endogenous retroviruses in Chiroptera genomes.

ABSTRACT: Bats (Chiroptera) are a taxonomic group of immense biological and ecological importance. They are primary reservoirs and carriers of various zoonotic viruses. Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) originate from ancient retroviruses invading the host, and ERV-derived sequences can function as regulatory elements which influence gene expression and contribute to both physiological and pathological processes. However, ERVs and ERV-like elements (ERVLEs) carried by bats have not been fully characterized. In this study, we systematically explored the ERVs in 61 bat species and identified 10,352 bat-ERVs and 5,884 bat-ERVLEs sequences, these sequences covered three major virus genera and included seven groups related to human ERVs in the subfamily Orthoretrovirinae. In particular, a relatively intact

SUBMITTER: Zhou ZJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12402889 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature