Unveiling Viroid’s: Scientists Discover Hidden Group of Novel Virus-like Entities in the Human Gut and Mouth

Scientists Unearth Novel Group of Virus-like Entities in Human Gut and Mouth In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified an unprecedented category of virus-like entities, termed “viroids,” residing in the human gut and mouth. Viroids, small RNA loops related to DNA, were initially found to infect plants, like potatoes. Unlike larger RNA-based viruses, viroids lack protective shells and do not encode instructions for protein construction; instead, they co-opt enzymes from their hosts. While viroids were historically associated with plant infections, recent studies suggested a broader host range. The researchers introduced “Obelisks,” a new viroid class found in the human gut and mouth. The study identified nearly 29,960 instances of Obelisks, predicting their 3D structure resembles a thin rod. Using metatranscriptomes, summaries of gene activity in microbial communities, the team observed Obelisks in 7% of human feces metatranscriptomes and 53% of mouth metatranscriptomes. They matched Obelisks with Streptococcus sanguinis in the mouth. Some Obelisks exhibited complexity by encoding replication enzymes, distinguishing them from previously described viroids. Although the impact on human health remains unknown, the viroids may influence the human microbiome, particularly by infecting bacteria. This discovery may also contribute to debates on the evolutionary relationship between viroids and viruses.

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