AI helps recognize RNA residues of ancient viruses in the human genome

Previous studies have shown that when the virus enters the human (and other animal) body, it

 can change the host's DNA by adding partits own RNA. It is also known that ancient viruses that infected the population many years ago sometimes left remnants of their RNA in the human genome. However, finding them turned out to be a difficult task due to the huge number of comparisons required for each “suspected” virus. In the new work, the researchers used a machine learning algorithm to solve the problem.

To train the algorithm, scientists used RNA fromknown non-retroviral endogenous RNA viral elements. By training the algorithm of modern viral RNA, the system could get a feel for what it looks like as a whole. Researchers believe such similarities probably existed in ancient RNA as well. After training, scientists tweaked the system to prevent as many false positives as possible. They then ran it on the human genome and found about 100 options for further consideration. After examining them, the researchers found that many of them were already known, and some were below the threshold they set as a pass / fail option. They have only one possible remnant of an unknown virus left.

Later, scientists checked whether they found the sameresidual viral RNA in the genomes of other species, such as monkeys and chimpanzees. This discovery suggests that the infection and further DNA alteration occurred at least 43 million years ago.

The researchers noted that more information about ancient viruses and their impact on the human genome will provide insight into the nuances of the behavior of modern viruses that are still unknown.

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