BC200: Human Jumping Gene Found In Poxvirus

A human gene that can jump has been found inside a virus

In a discovery that blurs the boundaries between human genetics and virology, scientists have identified a human gene embedded in a poxvirus, and it’s no ordinary gene. The gene, called BC200, is both essential for brain function and a “jumping gene” that can move and insert itself into genomes. Published in Science on Sept. 24, […] Continue reading A human gene that can jump has been found inside a virus on Tech Explorist.

BC200: Human Jumping Gene Found In Poxvirus

BC200: Human Jumping Gene Found In Poxvirus A human gene that is both mobile and required for bodily functions wasn't known to exist - until scientists found a human genetic element, BC200, in a poxvirus and discovered it is important for brain function and is a jumping gene capable of moving and inserting itself in genomes.  The authors note that BC200 is mostly expressed in neurons and originated millions of years ago from a ‘jumping gene’, a …