Poxvirus carries a human gene it stole 100,000 years ago

Overview

Updated 4 days ago

A poxvirus that causes skin warts has carried a human gene for about 100,000 years. Two copies of BC200, a non-coding RNA gene active in human neurons, sit inside molluscum contagiosum virus, the first known virus to harbor a human gene from recent evolutionary history.

BC200 evolved from a jumping gene 40 million years ago but never lost its mobility. The study, published Sept. 24 in Science, found hundreds of BC200 insertions across primate genomes and eight within 908 human genomes, including copies unique to single individuals — evidence the gene is still jumping in humans today. Researchers want to know whether the virus uses the stolen gene to manipulate infected cells, and whether BC200's jumps cause disease.

Why it matters

A common skin virus carries one of our own genes, possibly using it to infect us — the same jumping mechanism may drive cancer mutations.

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Key Indicators

BC200 insertions in 908 human genomes

Includes insertions found in a single person, suggesting the gene is still jumping in humans today.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

People Involved

Cedric Feschotte

Senior author of the study; Barbara McClintock Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University

Leading follow-up research on whether MCV uses BC200

Nels Elde

Evolutionary biologist at the University of Utah, not involved in the research

Commentator on the findings

Organizations Involved

Cornell University

University

Conducted and published the study

Ithaca, New York university where the research team works.

Science Corporation

Peer-reviewed scientific journal

Published the study September 24, 2026

Peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Timeline

2010 ~40 mil

7 events Latest: September 28th, 2026 · 2 weeks ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

~40 mil
Ancient transposon repurposed into BC200
Upcoming Evolution

A primate ancestor co-opted a jumping gene to regulate neuron translation.
~40 million years ago
~100,00
BC200 jumps into molluscum contagiosum virus
Upcoming Evolution

The gene inserted into MCV twice, likely during skin cell infections.
~100,000 years ago
Late 19
BC200 identified in human neurons
Upcoming Discovery

Researchers find an abundant non-coding RNA in brain cells.
Late 1980s
September 2026
New York Times covers the discovery
Latest Media

Reports that the virus may use the stolen human gene to infect cells.
September 28th, 2026
Science publishes BC200 study
Publication

Cornell team reports the gene's dual function and its capture by MCV.
September 24th, 2026
Study shows BC200 insertions vary across human populations
Discovery

The Science study reported eight BC200 insertion sites across 908 human genomes, including copies present in only a single individual, plus hundreds of lineage-specific insertions across anthropoid primates. This suggests the gene is still transposing in humans.
September 24th, 2026
2010
Feschotte lab spots BC200 in MCV genomes
Discovery

Scans of viral databases reveal the gene in the poxvirus; finding not published.
2010

Scenarios

MCV shown to use BC200 against human cells

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Cedric Feschotte's lab; New York Times

Feschotte's team plans to test whether MCV has co-opted BC200 to manipulate host cells. If cell culture or animal experiments show the virus depends on the gene, it becomes a candidate target for drugs to treat molluscum contagiosum, which currently has no specific treatment.

BC200 jumping linked to mutations in cancer

Possible Resolves by End of 2029

Discussed by: Cedric Feschotte's lab; New York Times

BC200 is abnormally expressed in some tumors and overexpressed in Alzheimer's brains. Feschotte's group wants to determine whether the gene jumps within cancer cells, inserting itself into and disrupting genes. Whole-genome sequencing of tumors could reveal BC200 insertions in oncogenes or tumor suppressors.

Cross-species transposon spread via viruses confirmed

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2030

Discussed by: Cedric Feschotte; Nels Elde (University of Utah)

Feschotte suggested that if viruses carry transposons across species boundaries, jumping genes could spread horizontally between species far more than assumed. Confirmation would require finding a transposon from one species inside a virus that infects a different species. This is the most speculative of the three outcomes.

BC200 jumping in humans generates new heritable insertions

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Cedric Feschotte's lab (study authors)

The study found BC200 insertion polymorphisms in human populations, including insertions unique to single individuals — evidence of ongoing germline transposition. If BC200 keeps jumping, new insertions could disrupt genes and contribute to heritable disease. The lab's future work includes sequencing more human genomes to measure how fast BC200 insertions accumulate and whether they land in disease-relevant genes.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1940s–1950s

Barbara McClintock's jumping genes (1940s–1950s)

Geneticist Barbara McClintock showed that pieces of maize chromosomes could move to new positions, calling them 'controlling elements.' The scientific community largely ignored or dismissed her work for two decades.

Then

Her findings were vindicated in the 1960s and 1970s when mobile elements were found in bacteria and other organisms.

Now

McClintock won the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Transposons are now known to make up about half the human genome.

Why this matters now

BC200 originated from a transposon and retained its mobility — and the study's senior author holds Cornell's Barbara McClintock Professorship.

~30–40 million years ago

Endogenous retroviruses in the human genome (~30–40 million years ago)

Ancient retroviruses infected primate ancestors and inserted their genetic material into the germline. Those insertions were inherited and now make up around 8% of the human genome.

Then

Most viral DNA was silenced or degraded by mutations over millions of years.

Now

Some elements were repurposed for host functions, including genes involved in placenta development and immune defense.

Why this matters now

This story is the reverse: a host gene jumped into a virus within the last 100,000 years, showing gene flow between humans and viruses is recent, not just ancient history.

1950s–present

Bacteriophages moving antibiotic resistance genes (1950s–present)

Viruses that infect bacteria, called bacteriophages, can accidentally package host DNA — including antibiotic resistance genes — and transfer it to other bacteria they infect.

Then

This horizontal transfer spreads resistance rapidly through bacterial populations.

Now

It is now understood as a major driver of the antibiotic resistance crisis, showing viruses can move host genes between organisms.

Why this matters now

MCV carrying BC200 extends the same principle to humans, with the question now whether the virus uses the gene to its advantage.