Source : Sciencesetavenir.fr
14/02/2023 14:07
Viral sequences left behind by old infections in our DNA activate as cells age and form viruses that accelerate the aging process.
Nearly 8% of our genome is made up of viral genetic sequences, which became embedded in our DNA during infections that occurred thousands or even millions of years ago. These genetic “squatters” are mostly inactive, but some are still able to form new copies of themselves. However, they remain dormant until their DNA is expressed.
In general, our cells make sure to make them sleep as long as possible. An epigenetic system covers these viral sequences so that they are not accessible and thus prevents the instructions for making the virus from being read. But a new study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, published on January 19, 2023 in the journal Cell, has just shown that this cover falls over time, favoring the awakening of these viruses. And that once awakened, they infect the surrounding cells and accelerate their aging.
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