Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the USA have discovered the unusual ability of the coronavirus. During the study, it turned out that some fragments of the virus genome can be incorporated into the human genome. The results are given in an article on the bioRxiv portal, reports RIA Novosti .
Researchers have turned on the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene (an enzyme that converts RNA into DNA – approx. ” Lenta.ru “) into human cells and multiplied cells with SARS-CoV-2. Thus, the hypothesis was proved according to which the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome can integrate into human DNA chromosomes.
It is clarified that the experiment used the RT gene from HIV, and also used human DNA sequences, such as LINE-1 elements, which are considered to be the remnants of retroviral infections.
As a result, some of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments were transformed into DNA and integrated into human chromosomes. The article explained that all this happened thanks to cells that produce enzymes.
Scientists concluded that if LINE-1 sequences cause RT in human cells, then the integration of SARS-CoV-2 can also be in the bodies of those people who are sick with COVID-19. In addition, the same happens to those who are coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.
According to bioRxiv, the researchers were able to explain by this method positive PCR tests for coronavirus in those who have had an infection and are no longer contagious. It is said that this discovery could slow down research on COVID-19 and the search for its treatment based on tests of PCR systems.