All articles tagged with #viroids
Researchers report the discovery of obelisks—tiny circular RNA life forms inside human-associated bacteria in the mouth and gut—potentially a new class of RNA-based life that challenges virus/viroid definitions, with health implications still unknown; the findings were shared on bioRxiv and Royal Society Open Science.
Stanford University researchers have discovered tiny virus-like 'lifeforms' called obelisks inside human mouths and guts, smaller than viruses but capable of transferring information to cells. These rod-shaped entities, found in nearly 30,000 distinct types, are neither standard life nor viroids, and their purpose remains unknown. Scientists are now investigating their relationship with host cells, bacteria, and fungi to determine their impact on human health.
Researchers have discovered virus-like structures called "obelisks" in the microbiomes of human mouths and guts, which are distinct from traditional viruses and viroids. These obelisks, composed of unique RNA sequences, were found in about 7% of gut bacteria and half of mouth bacteria microbiomes analyzed. The findings, though preliminary, suggest a previously unknown layer of the microbial world and raise questions about their origins, potential effects on human health, and evolutionary relationship to viruses.
Scientists have discovered virus-like structures called "obelisks" in the human gut and mouth, which replicate like viruses but are much smaller and simpler, falling into the "viroid" class. These obelisks are found in roughly seven percent of human gut bacteria and 50 percent of mouth bacteria, and may influence gene activity within the human microbiome. While their exact function is still unknown, further study could shed light on their role in the human body and their relationship to viruses and viroids.
Scientists have discovered a new class of virus-like entities called "Obelisks" in the human gut and mouth, which are a type of viroid that likely infects bacteria. These viroids, named for their predicted thin rod-like shape, were found in nearly 7% of human gut gene-activity summaries and in about 53% of mouth gene-activity summaries. While the specific impact on human health is still unknown, the discovery may shed light on the influence of viroids on the human microbiome and contribute to the ongoing debate about the evolution of viruses and viroids.
Scientists have discovered a new class of virus-like entities called "Obelisks" in the human gut and mouth, which are tiny loops of RNA that may influence gene activity within the human microbiome. These viroids, found in nearly 7% of human fecal samples and 53% of mouth samples, were identified in a preprint study and are predicted to infect bacteria. While their impact on human health is still unknown, this discovery may shed light on the evolution of viruses and viroids.
Theodor Diener, a plant pathologist, discovered viroids, the smallest known infectious agent, while investigating spindle tuber disease in potatoes. Viroids are one eightieth the size of many viruses and are made only of RNA, without a protein coat or the ability to encode proteins. Since Diener's discovery, scientists have identified over 30 different viroids that cause diseases in plants. Viroids have implications for scientific understanding of the origins of life and for medicine, contributing to breakthroughs like the use of messenger RNA to develop vaccines for Covid-19.