A Compendium of ERVs in the Genomes of Major Primates

Abstract

ERVs integrate into host DNA, forming vertically inherited proviral sequences. These sequences not only record the historical imprints of ancient retroviruses but also play significant biological roles in modern host genomes. The widespread distribution of ERVs in primate genomes suggests that constructing a unified system for ERV site distribution would facilitate the study of their impact on host genomic biology and evolution. In this study, we utilized LTR_harvest to predict candidate ERV sequences in primate genomes and further identified and annotated the characteristics of these candidate sequences using LTR_digest software. We have compiled a comprehensive and well-annotated database (http://ervsdb.omics.henbio.com/home/index/index.html?idx=1). This database enables the acquisition of ERV data and corresponding neighboring genes for 61 primate species, characterization of ERV proviral structures, assessment of integration sites, and prediction of potential regulatory gene functions associated with ERV-LTRs. Using the Trachypithecus francoisi as an example, we have preliminarily explored the potential influence of ERVs on host resistance or susceptibility to diseases, providing a theoretical reference for further research on ERVs in other animals.