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Domesticated transposable element gene products in human cancer
Jesse D Riordan1, Adam J Dupuy
1Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology; Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine; University of Iowa; Iowa City, IA USA.
Transposable elements, or "jumping genes," can be domesticated by cells to perform new functions. Some of these domesticated genes are implicated in human cancer development and promote tumor growth.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences that can alter the genome.
- Molecular domestication is the process by which TEs are repurposed for host cell functions.
- Approximately fifty human protein-coding genes originated from domesticated TEs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roles of domesticated genes in human cancer.
- To discuss evidence linking aberrant expression of these genes to tumorigenesis.
- To highlight experimental findings on TE-derived gene products promoting cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on domesticated genes and cancer.
- Analysis of research on disrupted expression patterns in tumors.
- Examination of experimental evidence for TE-derived gene functions in cancer promotion.
Main Results:
- Domesticated genes are involved in diverse cellular processes, some linked to cancer pathways.
- Disrupted expression of these genes has been observed in human tumors.
- Experimental studies confirm that TE-derived gene products can drive tumorigenesis.
Conclusions:
- Domesticated transposable elements represent a significant source of novel gene functions in humans.
- Aberrant regulation of these genes in cancer suggests their potential as therapeutic targets.
- Further research into the oncogenic roles of TE-derived genes is warranted.
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