Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

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...
LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

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...
Transposons01:24

Transposons

Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...
DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

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...
Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

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...
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

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’...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Tranquillyzer: A Neural Network Framework for Long-read Annotation and Demultiplexing.

Genomics, proteomics & bioinformatics·2026
Same author

An RNF4-Based Tool for Tracking Subcellular Localization of PolySUMOylation During Cellular Stress.

Biomolecules·2026
Same author

Pharmacologic and Oncohistone Inhibition of SETD2 Converge on Genomic Instability.

Cancers·2026
Same author

The Scientific Case for Animal Models: A Perspective From Musculoskeletal Researchers.

FASEB bioAdvances·2026
Same author

Dietary restriction reprograms CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell fate to enhance anti-tumour immunity and immunotherapy responses.

Nature metabolism·2025
Same author

EHMT2 Controls Neural Crest-Derived Craniofacial Development but is Dispensable in Limb Development.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Retroviral Transduction of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells to Generate T-cell Receptor Retrogenic Mice
09:08

Retroviral Transduction of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells to Generate T-cell Receptor Retrogenic Mice

Published on: July 11, 2016

Retrotransposons in Bone and Joint Diseases.

Ye Liu1, H Josh Jang1, Tao Yang1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology Van Andel Institute Grand Rapids Michigan USA.

FASEB Bioadvances
|May 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Retrotransposon reactivation, particularly endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), is linked to musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Targeting these genetic elements offers potential therapies for chronic bone and joint diseases.

Keywords:
epigeneticosteoarthritisosteoporosisretrotransposon

More Related Videos

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
11:52

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
11:47

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Published on: June 8, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Retroviral Transduction of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells to Generate T-cell Receptor Retrogenic Mice
09:08

Retroviral Transduction of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells to Generate T-cell Receptor Retrogenic Mice

Published on: July 11, 2016

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
11:52

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
11:47

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Published on: June 8, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Retrotransposons, including LINEs and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), were considered "junk DNA" but can reactivate due to epigenetic dysregulation in aging and disease.
  • While ERV roles in cancer and neurodegeneration are known, their impact on musculoskeletal health is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize evidence connecting retrotransposon reactivation, especially ERVs, to osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoporosis.
  • To explore the epigenetic mechanisms of ERV silencing and reactivation in musculoskeletal tissues.
  • To discuss the immunological and cellular consequences of ERV reactivation and their therapeutic implications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of recent and previous findings.
  • Discussion of epigenetic regulation of ERVs in musculoskeletal tissues.
  • Analysis of molecular mimicry, immune responses, and cellular senescence triggered by ERVs.

Main Results:

  • Retrotransposon reactivation, particularly ERVs, is implicated in the pathogenesis of OA, RA, and potentially osteoporosis.
  • Failure of epigenetic control mechanisms allows ERV reactivation, leading to viral and molecular mimicry.
  • Reactivated ERVs can trigger innate and adaptive immune responses and cellular senescence.

Conclusions:

  • Retrotransposon dysregulation contributes to chronic bone and joint disorders.
  • Targeting retrotransposon reactivation, encoded proteins, and nucleic acid-sensing pathways presents a novel therapeutic strategy for musculoskeletal diseases.