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Impact of Transposable Elements on DNA Double-Strand Break Repair and Genomic Stability
Mohd Iqbal Bhat1,2, Raj K Pandita3, Arjamand Mushtaq2
1Centre for Vocational Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Kashmir, India.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) threaten genomic integrity by causing DNA breaks. Understanding their repair via homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and epigenetic control is key for therapeutic interventions.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences crucial to eukaryotic genomes.
- TE activity is linked to genomic instability, carcinogenesis, and aging.
- TE mobilization can cause deletions, inversions, and insertions, threatening genome fidelity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental properties of transposable elements.
- To focus on cellular interactions in recombination, replication, and DNA repair mechanisms.
- To highlight the role of epigenetic regulation in DNA repair and therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on transposable elements and DNA repair pathways.
- Analysis of cellular mechanisms involving recombination, replication, and DNA repair.
- Examination of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone acetylation).
Main Results:
- TE mobilization induces double-strand breaks (DSBs).
- DSBs are repaired through homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ).
- Epigenetic mechanisms provide critical control over accurate DNA repair.
Conclusions:
- Faulty DNA repair of TE-induced DSBs can lead to cellular dysfunction and disease.
- Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are vital for maintaining genomic integrity.
- Targeting epigenetic modifications offers potential therapeutic strategies for TE-related pathologies.
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