Retroelements: molecular features and implications for disease

Abstract

Eukaryotic genomes comprise numerous retroelements that have a major impact on the structure and regulation of gene function. Retroelements are regulated by epigenetic controls, and they generate multiple miRNAs that are involved in the induction and progression of genomic instability. Elucidation of the biological roles of retroelements deserves continuous investigation to better understand their evolutionary features and implications for disease.

Endogenous Retroelements in Cancer: Molecular Roles and Clinical Approach

“…In particular, several studies have been conducted to reveal the relationship among the environmental stress, RE responses, and associated diseases [20,21]. Although no direct relationship has been revealed yet, genome instability by activated RE is known to be the main mechanism linking RE with disease [22]. However, the transposition ratio of all the REs is about 0.02 germline events per generation [23], so it is too rare to explain their various roles.…”