Abstract
Following the recent availability of high-coverage genomes for Denisovan and Neanderthal hominids, we conducted a screen for endogenized retroviruses, identifying six novel, previously unreported HERV-K(HML2) elements (HERV-K is human endogenous retrovirus K). These elements are absent from the human genome (hg38) and appear to be unique to archaic hominids. These findings provide further evidence supporting the recent activity of the HERV-K(HML2) group, which has been implicated in human disease. They will also provide insights into the evolution of archaic hominids.
Highlights
Following the recent availability of high-coverage genomes for Denisovan and Neanderthal hominids, we conducted a screen for endogenized retroviruses, identifying six novel, previously unreported HERV-K(HML2) elements (HERV-K is human endogenous retrovirus K)
Agoni et al (5) identified 14 novel human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) proviruses, which were absent from the human genome sequence
Replication-competent HERV-K(HML2) elements have been identified to date, it remains possible that such elements exist and may cause disease in some modern humans
Summary
Following the recent availability of high-coverage genomes for Denisovan and Neanderthal hominids, we conducted a screen for endogenized retroviruses, identifying six novel, previously unreported HERV-K(HML2) elements (HERV-K is human endogenous retrovirus K). Agoni et al (5) identified 14 novel human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) proviruses, which were absent from the human genome sequence (assembly hg19). The authors suggested that these HERVs were unique to archaic hominids and that no orthologous insertions would be found in modern humans (5).
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