Obelisks: New life found in the human digestive system
Delving into the intricate ecosystem of microbes inhabiting the human body, scientists have unexpectedly encountered a novel category of a virus entity. The discovery has left experts astonished, with cell biologist Mark Peifer from the University of North Carolina expressing his amazement, stating, "It's insane. The more we look, the more crazy things we see." Let's learn more about these mysterious bits called "obelisks."
A puzzling revelation
Stanford University biologist Ivan Zheludev and their team found something puzzling in genetic material. It doesn't have any recognizable patterns like other biological things. They suggest it might not be viruses but something entirely new. This mysterious genetic material hints at a possible new category of entities that could fill the gap between simple genetic molecules and the more complex world of viruses.
What are obelisks?
In a preprint paper, researchers describe obelisks as a group of various RNAs that have quietly existed in human and global microbiomes without detection. These genetic entities, named after their rod-like RNA structures, are relatively short and can fold into structures that look ride a rod, hence the name. The compact nature of their genetic sequences might be why they went unnoticed until now.
Found in different parts
In an unreviewed study, Zheludev and his team delved into 5.4 million datasets of published genetic sequences, uncovering nearly 30,000 distinct obelisks. These peculiar genetic entities were found in approximately 10% of the human microbiomes. Notably, in one dataset, obelisks were detected in 50% of oral samples from patients. Interestingly, various types of obelisks seem to inhabit different regions of our bodies.
Oblins, a common feature
Zheludev and colleagues suggest that although the hosts of other obelisks remain unknown, there is a possibility that some of them may be found in bacteria. Despite the uncertainty about the origin of obelisks, the researchers observe a common feature in all of them, they carry instructions for a novel class of proteins named oblins.
Origins of life
The discovery introduces a new and intriguing chapter in our understanding of genetic entities. The prevalence of obelisks, particularly in the oral environment, raises questions about their role in health and disease. Scientists could leverage these bacteria to explore the intricacies of obelisk replication, their impact on bacteria, and the functions of their proteins. Such experiments might unveil insights into the origins of life.
