91��ý

Remnants of a virus that infected our primate ancestors 30-50 million years ago may be fueling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in people today, according to 91��ý research.

Previous studies have shown that about half of the human genome is made up of bits of DNA, including proteins, left behind by ancient viruses.

The latest research found that when one such protein, PEG10, is present at high levels in nerve tissue, it changes cell behavior in ways that contribute to the fatal, neurodegenerative disease.

The researchers are now working to find a way to inhibit the rogue protein.

“It is early days still, but the hope is this could potentially lead to an entirely new class of potential therapeutics to get at the root cause of ALS,” said author Alexandra Whiteley, assistant professor of biochemistry.