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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

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Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
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LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

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LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
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DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

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DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
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Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

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As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

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PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
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Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

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Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
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Transposable elements as instructors of the immune system.

Lisa Schmidleithner1, Philipp Stüve1, Markus Feuerer2,3

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Transposable elements (TEs), comprising nearly half of human DNA, are increasingly recognized for their roles in biological processes. This research explores their underappreciated influence on the immune system and potential therapeutic applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences constituting approximately 50% of the human genome.
  • While largely immobile, TEs impact biological processes like aging, development, and cancer through transposition, transcription, and gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the largely uninvestigated interactions between transposable elements and the immune system.
  • To highlight the potential of transposable element biology in understanding and treating immune-related diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of current literature on transposable elements and immunology.
  • Exploration of proposed mechanisms by which TEs influence immune responses.
  • Discussion of TEs as potential neoantigens in cancer immunity.

Main Results:

  • TEs may influence innate immunity, T cell activation/differentiation, and tissue adaptation.
  • Transposable elements can act as a source of neoantigens, potentially enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
  • TEs play a significant role in various biological processes beyond their repetitive nature.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable element biology represents a critical emerging area within immunology.
  • Harnessing the TE network offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.
  • Further research into TE-immune system interactions is warranted.