Ancient Virus DNA Silences Gene in Chimpanzee Brains
Researchers at Lund University say a viral remnant switches off LINC00662, a gene active in human brain organoids and linked to nerve cell development.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Life Sciences
Researchers at Lund University reported in Science Advances on 23 October 2026 that viral DNA from the ancient PTERV1 retrovirus, embedded in the chimpanzee genome, silences the gene LINC00662. The gene was strongly expressed in human brain organoids but not in chimpanzee brain organoids.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that ancient viral sequences may have shaped differences in how human and chimpanzee brains develop. Silencing LINC00662 in human brain organoids reduced activity of genes involved in nerve cell development.
The study compared brain organoids grown from human and chimpanzee stem cells, and CRISPR-Cas9 removal of the viral sequence reactivated LINC00662 in chimpanzee cells. The team has not yet determined whether other viral remnants influenced brain evolution or whether these sequences are connected to brain disease.
The players
Lund University
A research university in Lund, Sweden, where the researchers conducted the study on viral DNA and brain organoids.
The details
The team grew brain organoids from human and chimpanzee stem cells and found that LINC00662 is active in human organoids but not in chimpanzee ones. Copies of the PTERV1 viral sequence are found throughout chimpanzee DNA, where methylation shuts them down; removing the sequence with CRISPR-Cas9 restored the gene's activity.
Timeline
Millions of years ago: ancient viral infection of chimpanzees embeds PTERV1 DNA in their genome.
23 October 2026: study published in Science Advances.
The Big Picture
Endogenous retroviruses such as PTERV1 are remnants of infections that became permanent parts of primate genomes. This study extends research on how such ancient viral sequences regulate gene activity into the question of how human and chimpanzee brains diverged.
The work is at an early laboratory stage and does not yet point to any treatment or product. Its near-term value is in helping scientists map which ancient viral sequences affect brain development.
The takeaway
Viral remnants that entered primate genomes millions of years ago can still switch genes on or off today. Tracking these sequences may help explain how human brains differ from those of our closest living relatives.
Further reading
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