RNA virus EVEs in insect genomes

Abstract

Insects are infected by a diverse set of RNA viruses that are more broadly distinguished by their ability to infect single or multiple host species. During replication into the host cell, partial or complete double strand DNA derived from the viral genome may be integrated into their host genomes giving origin to endogenous viral elements (EVEs). EVEs from RNA viruses have been identified in a variety of insect genomes showing different evolutionary trajectories: from highly degraded viral genomic remains to partial and complete viral coding regions. Limited functional knowledge exists about RNA EVEs impact on hosts and circulating viruses, but exciting results are emerging showing a complex arms race interplay that influences the evolutionary trajectory of these interacting entities.