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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
Published on: January 20, 2023
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Perspective for Studying the Relationship of miRNAs with Transposable Elements
Rustam Nailevich Mustafin1, Elza Khusnutdinova2
1Department of Medical Genetics and Fundamental Medicine, Bashkir State Medical University, 450008 Ufa, Russia.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|May 15, 2023
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) are key sources of microRNAs (miRNAs) and non-coding RNAs, influencing gene regulation, aging, and disease. Understanding TE-derived miRNA expression offers new therapeutic targets for aging and diseases like cancer.
Area of Science:
- Genomics and Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) are integral components of genomes, contributing significantly to the evolution of protein-coding genes, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs).
- The expression patterns of TE-derived ncRNAs and miRNAs are linked to epigenetic regulation, cellular processes like aging, and the development of various diseases.
- Species-specific TE composition and distribution influence gene regulation across cell divisions and throughout an organism's lifespan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of transposable elements as a significant source of miRNA and long non-coding RNA genes.
- To propose the development of a bioinformatics database for tracking TE-derived miRNAs in healthy individuals and during aging and disease.
- To explore the potential of TE-derived miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for aging, cancer, and other complex diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and data accumulation on TE-derived miRNAs and their regulatory mechanisms.
- Mention of existing bioinformatics tools (e.g., Orb3d, ncRNAclassifier) and databases (e.g., PlanTE-MIR DB, PlaNC-TE) for TE-derived miRNA identification.
- Analysis of established findings regarding the presence of 467 transposon-derived miRNA genes in the human genome.
Main Results:
- Transposable elements are established sources of miRNAs and lncRNAs, impacting gene regulation and cellular processes.
- The expression of TEs is modulated by epigenetic factors and specific proteins, influencing gene networks.
- TE-derived miRNAs are implicated in aging, cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with 467 such genes identified in the human genome.
Conclusions:
- TE-derived miRNAs play crucial roles in gene regulation, cellular differentiation, aging, and pathogenesis.
- An updated bioinformatics database of TE-derived miRNAs is proposed to facilitate research into aging and disease mechanisms.
- Targeting TE-derived miRNAs holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies in oncology, aging, and other challenging diseases.
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