Discovery of Viral Hormones and Virally Encoded Growth Factors Opens New Dimensions in Virology, Endocrinology and Medicine
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 16, 2024 13 hours, 39 minutes ago
Medical News: Groundbreaking Findings Unveil a New Paradigm in Science
In an exciting development that could revolutionize medicine and biology, a team of international researchers has uncovered that certain viruses carry genes encoding molecules similar to human hormones and growth factors. This groundbreaking discovery sheds light on previously unknown interactions between viruses and human physiology, opening new dimensions in the fields of virology, endocrinology, and medical science. The findings challenge long-standing beliefs and suggest that viruses, known primarily for causing disease, could mimic human hormones and influence our health in unexpected ways.
Discovery of Viral Hormones and Virally Encoded Growth Factors Opens New Dimensions
in Virology, Endocrinology and Medicine
The research was conducted by scientists from leading institutions, including Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard Medical School in the United States, Kumamoto University in Japan, Indiana University, the de Duve Institute in Belgium, and Novo Nordisk in Denmark. This
Medical News report highlights the significance of the findings and explores their potential implications for human health and disease.
What Are Viral Hormones and Growth Factors?
Peptide hormones, like insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2), play critical roles in regulating metabolism, growth, and cellular function in the human body. Traditionally, these hormones are thought to be produced exclusively by humans and animals. However, the discovery that viruses can encode similar peptides has stunned scientists. These viral insulin-like peptides (VILPs), identified in specific viruses, closely resemble human insulin and IGFs in their structure and function.
Using advanced bioinformatics techniques, the research team analyzed viral genomes and found striking similarities between certain viral proteins and human hormones. Specifically, four viruses belonging to the Iridoviridae family - commonly found in fish - were shown to produce VILPs. The molecules were found to have a remarkable ability to bind to human insulin and IGF receptors, triggering biological responses similar to those seen with natural insulin and growth factors.
How Viral Hormones Were Identified
The researchers began their study by searching through viral genomes available in global databases. They compared viral genetic sequences to 62 known human peptide hormones and growth factors. Their analysis revealed 16 viral sequences that closely matched human hormones. Among these, the insulin and IGF-like peptides stood out because of their high level of structural similarity.
This study reveals that the viral insulin-like peptides (VILPs) were identified in four viruses: Lymphocystis disease virus-1 (LCDV-1), lymphocystis disease virus-Sa (LCDV-Sa), grouper iridovirus (GIV), and Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV). These viruses primarily infect fish, where they cause systemic infections and tumor-like growths on the skin.
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The peptides were not only similar in their genetic sequences but also in their three-dimensional structures, a critical factor that allows them to function like human hormones. The VILPs contain conserved cysteine residues, which are essential for the proper folding and activity of insulin and IGF molecules.
Key Study Findings
The study went beyond identifying these viral peptides. To determine whether VILPs could affect human physiology, the researchers synthesized the peptides and tested their functions in the laboratory and in animal models. The results were astonishing:
-Binding to Human Receptors: The VILPs were shown to bind to human insulin and IGF-1 receptors with remarkable efficiency. While their binding affinity was lower than natural insulin or IGF-1, the peptides still triggered significant biological responses.
-Activation of Cellular Signaling: VILPs activated key signaling pathways in human and rodent cells. These pathways are crucial for metabolism, cell growth, and survival. For example, VILPs stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt, a protein that plays a central role in insulin and IGF signaling.
-Effects on Glucose Metabolism: One of the most striking findings was that VILPs could lower blood sugar levels in mice. When injected into mice, VILPs significantly reduced blood glucose, mimicking the action of natural insulin. This effect persisted longer than insulin, suggesting differences in how VILPs are processed by the body.
-Stimulation of Cell Growth: VILPs also promoted cell proliferation in human fibroblasts, similar to the effects seen with IGF-1. This finding suggests that VILPs could play a role in tissue growth and repair.
-Presence in Human Samples: Although the viruses are typically associated with fish, the study revealed that fragments of their genetic material have been detected in human blood and fecal samples. This discovery raises intriguing questions about whether humans are exposed to these viruses and how VILPs might influence human health.
Potential Implications for Medicine
The discovery of viral hormones and growth factors has profound implications for medicine. The ability of viruses to mimic human hormones suggests that viral infections could directly influence metabolic processes, cell growth, and immune responses. For example:
-Diabetes: VILPs could play a role in insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. If these viruses infect humans, they might interfere with normal insulin signaling, contributing to metabolic disorders.
-Cancer: Because VILPs promote cell growth, they could be linked to cancer development in infected individuals. Viruses that produce hormone-like peptides might drive uncontrolled cell proliferation.
-Autoimmune Diseases: The similarity between VILPs and human hormones raises the possibility that viral infections could trigger autoimmune responses. For instance, the body might mistakenly attack its own insulin-producing cells, leading to diseases like type 1 diabetes.
-Therapeutic Potential: On the flip side, VILPs could be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Their ability to activate insulin and IGF receptors could inspire the development of new treatments for diabetes, growth disorders, and other conditions.
Conclusions
The discovery that viruses can produce hormones and growth factors similar to those found in humans represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of viral-host interactions. VILPs are the first characterized viral hormones that mimic insulin and IGF, two of the most important molecules in human physiology. This finding highlights the complexity of viruses and their ability to manipulate host biology in ways that were previously unimagined.
The presence of these viral peptides in human samples also raises important questions about the role of viruses in human diseases. Could viral infections contribute to diabetes, cancer, or other health conditions? Further studies are needed to explore these possibilities and to determine the full impact of VILPs on human health.
At the same time, this discovery opens up exciting new opportunities for medical research. By studying viral hormones, scientists may uncover new ways to treat metabolic and growth-related disorders. The potential to design novel therapies inspired by VILPs could revolutionize the treatment of diseases like diabetes and cancer.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1721117115
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