Viruses revealed to be a major driver of human evolution
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 - 17:21
in Biology & Nature
Aminopeptidase N is a protein that acts as a receptor for coronaviruses, the family of viruses behind recent epidemics of SARS and MERS, among others. BETHESDA, MD - The constant battle between pathogens and their hosts has long been recognized as a key driver of evolution, but until now scientists have not had the tools to look at these patterns globally across species and genomes. In a new study, researchers apply big-data analysis to reveal the full extent of viruses' impact on the evolution of humans and other mammals.