In a recent study, it was found that an ancient retrovirus, Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type K (HML-2), abbreviated as HK2, is a genome that silently promotes genetic behavior. A retrovirus is a group of RNA viruses that can insert their genetic code into their host’s DNA to multiply those cells. The retrovirus is most predominantly found in people with drug addictions than those without and is also known to have an influence on human behavior. Scientists, in fact, believe that this pathogen is responsible for changing the neurochemistry in our brains, putting us at risk for developing addictions.
The HK2 traces were discovered to be found in the RASGRF2 gene, which is a gene that plays an active role in influencing dopaminergic activity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, meaning that it releases chemicals from nerve cells to nerve cells that transmits an impulse. Drug use is found to release large surges of dopamine in the brain, meaning that suppression of the HK2 traces is the hopes of the scientists to regulate the amount of dopamine in the brain, and to curb addictions.
HK2 is very rare. It is said to be found in only 5 to 10 percent of people worldwide, without only 5 to 8 percent of the human genome actually being filled with the traces of this ancient retrovirus. In a study at the University of Athens in Greece, they analyzed individual’s DNA to see if there were traces of the HK2 retrovirus in their genes. They recruited 202 HIV positive patients who had been infected via intravenous drugs. It was found that RASGRF2 was 2.5 times more common in these patients than those who were infected by other means. An additional study found that the RASGRF2 gene was linked to alcoholism in teens. Scientists have also used CRISPR-Cas9 to insert traces of HK2 into the DNA of human cells that didn’t already contain the retrovirus. The traces changed the expression pattern concluding that HK2 does, in fact, change the process by which information is stored in the DNA.
Chemophobia is a bit prevalent in the articles, in which individuals are doubtful that a chemical not found in all individuals can be the reason for addiction. The only hazards that researchers suspect are whether or not this retrovirus is still alive. The article reinforces the stereotypes of chemists as "mad scientists," in which there is already controversy amongst the public on whether a gene contains the power for someone to have an addiction. Scientists believe that with more studies, targeting the HK2 virus can create better interventions for individuals suffering from an addiction. This intervention would involve creating a drug to target their insertion. The ultimate goal for the scientists is for these interventions to destigmatize the image of addiction, and shift the focus onto pharmacological support for addicts.
Catchy title and interesting chemistry. Good use of graphics and quite a reasonable explanation of quite a complicated topic. A link to Newsweek or your original source in the article would be helpful.
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