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Endogenous retroviruses

Endogenous retrovirus expression during fruitfly metamorphosis enhances adult viral immunity

Nature Genetics volume 54, pages 1765–1767 (2022)Cite this article

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The evolutionary benefits of ongoing endogenous retrovirus (ERV) mobility in animals are largely unknown. A new paradigm suggests activation of the ERV family mdg4 at the fruitfly pupal stage may bolster adult antiviral defenses.

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Fig. 1: Discovery of mdg4-mediated viral immunity.

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Acknowledgements

J.M.B. is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. G.J.F. receives funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (GNT1173711) and Australian Research Council (DP200102919), Cancer Australia (2003170) and the Mater Foundation. The authors thank M. E. Ferreiro for assistance with illustrations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia

    Juan M. Botto & Geoffrey J. Faulkner

  2. Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia

    Geoffrey J. Faulkner

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  1. Juan M. Botto
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  2. Geoffrey J. Faulkner
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Correspondence to Geoffrey J. Faulkner.

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Botto, J.M., Faulkner, G.J. Endogenous retrovirus expression during fruitfly metamorphosis enhances adult viral immunity. Nat Genet 54, 1765–1767 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-022-01209-6

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