title: Novel Denisovan and Neanderthal retroviruses.
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.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom adam.lee07@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huntley
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pakorn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aiewsakun
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ravinder K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tristem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005580:Fossils / Q000821:virology*; D016678:Genome; D015186:Hominidae / Q000821:virology*