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Transposable elements in brain health and disease.
Amirhossein Ahmadi1, Ilario De Toma2, Natàlia Vilor-Tejedor3
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, 75169, Iran.
Ageing Research Reviews
|September 25, 2020
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) are active in the human brain, challenging static genome ideas. These mobile genetic elements influence brain development and disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant portion of the human genome.
- Historically, neuronal genomes were considered static, but recent evidence suggests otherwise.
- TEs are increasingly recognized as active genetic components within the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of active transposable elements in the human genome.
- To discuss the impact of active TEs on human brain development.
- To explore the association between TEs and brain-related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on transposable elements in the brain.
- Analysis of genomic data and expression patterns of TEs.
- Synthesis of findings on TE activity, neuroplasticity, and disease.
Main Results:
- Active TEs are expressed and functional in the brain, indicating dynamic neuronal genomes.
- TE activity contributes to somatic genomic alterations in neurons.
- TEs influence genetic diversity and mutagenesis, impacting brain development.
Conclusions:
- The brain's genome is not static and is subject to TE-mediated alterations.
- Active TEs play a crucial role in human brain development.
- TEs are implicated in the pathogenesis of various brain-related diseases.
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