The Role of Retrotransposons and Endogenous Retroviruses in Age-Dependent Neurodegenerative Disorders
Bess Frost,
Josh Dubnau
Abstract:Over 40% of the human genome is composed of retrotransposons, DNA species that hold the potential to replicate via an RNA intermediate and are evolutionarily related to retroviruses. Retrotransposons are most studied for their ability to jump within a genome, which can cause DNA damage and novel insertional mutations. Retrotransposon-encoded products, including viral-like proteins, double-stranded RNAs, and extrachromosomal cytoplasmic DNAs, can also be potent activators of the innate immune system. A growing … Show more
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