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Taming transposable elements in vertebrates: from epigenetic silencing to domestication
Miguel Vasconcelos Almeida1, Grégoire Vernaz2, Audrey L K Putman1
1Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|March 21, 2022
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) are common in genomes and can cause instability. However, animals harness TEs for evolution, and understanding this domestication is key.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Epigenetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) are widespread in eukaryotic genomes.
- TEs can cause genomic instability but also drive evolutionary novelty.
- Animals possess mechanisms to control TE activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how animals, especially vertebrates, control TE mobility and expression.
- To highlight examples of TE domestication in animal evolution.
- To identify future research directions for understanding TE domestication dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on TE control and domestication in animals.
- Analysis of known cases of TE co-option for host functions.
- Discussion of emerging technologies for studying TE-host interactions.
Main Results:
- Animals employ diverse epigenetic and genetic pathways to suppress TE activity.
- TEs have been domesticated for various host functions, contributing to phenotypic divergence.
- The transition of TEs from 'non-self' to 'self' elements is a critical evolutionary process.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of TE domestication is crucial.
- New technologies offer opportunities to bridge the gap between TE silencing and domestication.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of TEs in adaptation and evolution.
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