{
  "abstract": "Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are remnants of retroviral sequences that integrated into the host germline genome and are inherited across generations. Occasionally, the protein-coding genes within ERVs have been co-opted as host genes and contribute to diverse biological processes. In early studies, the identified ERV-derived genes remained taxonomically restricted to model organisms. Recently, however, the increasing availability of vertebrate genome assemblies has expanded the known repertoire of ERV-derived genes across diverse lineages. Here, I review the current knowledge of ERV-derived genes and how the era of comparative genomics is reshaping our understanding of the vertebrate ERV-derived genes. I first describe the processes of ERV endogenization, genomic expansion, and co-option. Then, I summarize the known functions of ERV-derived genes in vertebrates and the methodology of comparative genomic approaches to discover ERV-derived genes. I further discuss evolutionary models of ERV-derived genes, which will become increasingly important for understanding the broad pattern of their evolution. This review also provides a catalog of ERV-derived genes, including recently identified genes of unknown function. By integrating findings from recent comparative genomic studies, this review provides an updated view of how ERV-derived genes have contributed to vertebrate evolution.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Koichi Kitao"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3bvygjb8j82t8.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1266/ggs.26-00068",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ggs/101/0/101_26-00068/_article",
  "id": "3bvygjb8j82t8",
  "issns": [
    "1880-5779",
    "1341-7568"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ggs/101/0/101_26-00068/_article",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "jstage-journal",
      "biology/genetics-genomics"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1110|Chromosomal and Genetic Variations"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7204940803",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ggs/advpub/0/advpub_26-00068/_pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3bvygjb8j82t8.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:34Z",
      "native_id": "10.1266/ggs.26-00068",
      "source": "jstage",
      "url": "https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ggs/101/0/101_26-00068/_article"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1110|Chromosomal and Genetic Variations",
      "subfield": "plant-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Co-option of retroviral genes: diversity and evolution in vertebrates",
  "title_text": "Co-option of retroviral genes: diversity and evolution in vertebrates",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:34Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3bvygjb8j82t8",
  "venue": "Genes & Genetic Systems",
  "versions": []
}