Basically, yes. Viruses came up with the syncitins to fuse with host cells, then when they infected us and integrated their genome we had the code for making these proteins… and turns out “invading tissue” was a really useful tool for the embryo.
That’s a fantastic question… which is exactly what I’m pursuing in my master’s degree right now :). The goal will be to have a full metabolic map showing all the involved genes and how they interact, when they’re triggered (and by which signaling pathways) and how it all comes together for placental development.
Basically, yes. Viruses came up with the syncitins to fuse with host cells, then when they infected us and integrated their genome we had the code for making these proteins… and turns out “invading tissue” was a really useful tool for the embryo.
i am wondering (in case you know), what activates these genes?
i.e., i’d like to understand how gene regulation works in general. what causes genes to become active all of a sudden?
i.e., why does the genes allow embryos to live inside the mother, but not allow other intruders to live inside the human?
That’s a fantastic question… which is exactly what I’m pursuing in my master’s degree right now :). The goal will be to have a full metabolic map showing all the involved genes and how they interact, when they’re triggered (and by which signaling pathways) and how it all comes together for placental development.