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Retroelements, reverse transcriptase and evolution

A J Flavell1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University, Dundee, U.K.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
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Retroelements, including retroviruses and retrotransposons, are genetic elements that replicate via RNA. Their use of tRNA and reverse transcriptase suggests they may have been present at the origin of life.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Retroelements are diverse genetic entities capable of replicating through RNA intermediates.
  • While retroviruses are well-known, other types include LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons, caulimoviruses, hepadnaviruses, and retrons.
  • Most retroelements function as 'selfish DNA,' with the exception of telomeres/telomerases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary origins and fundamental mechanisms of retroelements.
  • To highlight the significance of tRNA and reverse transcriptase in retroelement replication.
  • To propose the ancient origins of retroelements in early life.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing literature on retroelement diversity and function.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparative analysis of retroelement replication strategies, focusing on initiation mechanisms.
  • Evolutionary inference based on the roles of key molecules like tRNA and reverse transcriptase.

    • Main Results:

    • Retroelements exhibit a wide range of forms and relationships to retroviruses.
    • The majority of retroelements are non-essential for host cell function.
    • A common feature is the initiation of reverse transcription using tRNA or structured RNA.
    • The use of tRNA and reverse transcriptase points to a potential role in early biological evolution.

    Conclusions:

    • Retroelements, particularly their reliance on tRNA and reverse transcriptase, suggest a deep evolutionary history.
    • The observed mechanisms may indicate that retroelements were present at the genesis of life.
    • Further research into retroelement origins can illuminate early molecular evolution.