Insertion of Retrotransposons at Chromosome Ends: Adaptive Response to Chromosome Maintenance

Frontiers in Genetics
Geraldine Servant, Prescott L Deininger

Abstract

The telomerase complex is a specialized reverse transcriptase (RT) that inserts tandem DNA arrays at the linear chromosome ends and contributes to the protection of the genetic information in eukaryotic genomes. Telomerases are phylogenetically related to retrotransposons, encoding also the RT activity required for the amplification of their sequences throughout the genome. Intriguingly the telomerase gene is lost from the Drosophila genome and tandem retrotransposons replace telomeric sequences at the chromosome extremities. This observation suggests the versatility of RT activity in counteracting the chromosome shortening associated with genome replication and that retrotransposons can provide this activity in case of a dysfunctional telomerase. In this review paper, we describe the major classes of retroelements present in eukaryotic genomes in order to point out the differences and similarities with the telomerase complex. In a second part, we discuss the insertion of retroelements at the ends of chromosomes as an adaptive response for dysfunctional telomeres.

References

Jan 1, 1992·Mammalian Genome : Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society·D M SeverynseM H Edgell
Aug 27, 1992·Nature·D F Voytas, J D Boeke
Jan 1, 1992·Annual Review of Biochemistry·E H Blackburn
Jun 20, 1992·Journal of Molecular Biology·M Z LevyC B Harley
Oct 18, 1991·Cell·L K DerrD J Garfinkel
Dec 1, 1990·Molecular and Cellular Biology·G D Swergold
Dec 30, 1991·Science·S L MathiasA Gabriel
May 31, 1990·Nature·C B HarleyC W Greider
Sep 1, 1988·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J J ClareP J Farabaugh
Mar 1, 1985·Cell·J D BoekeG R Fink
Nov 1, 1988·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·K L Traverse, M L Pardue
Sep 1, 1995·Science·J FengJ Yu
Dec 20, 1994·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·F M Sheen, R W Levis
Feb 1, 1996·Nucleic Acids Research·A J ZaugT R Cech
Nov 29, 1996·Cell·J V MoranH H Kazazian
May 1, 1997·Nature Genetics·J D Boeke
Aug 15, 1997·Science·T H Eickbush
Nov 26, 1997·Journal of Bacteriology·G D MatthewsR T Poulter
Feb 12, 1998·Genes & Development·L HarringtonM O Robinson
Mar 20, 1998·Cell·T M Nakamura, T R Cech
Dec 22, 1998·Molecular and Cellular Biology·J R MitchellK Collins
Dec 22, 1998·Molecular and Cellular Biology·O N DanilevskayaM L Pardue
Mar 5, 1999·Science·J V MoranH H Kazazian
Nov 5, 1999·Nature Genetics·H D MorganE Whitelaw
Mar 25, 2000·Science·M D AdamsJ C Venter
Mar 31, 2000·Nature Genetics·C EsnaultT Heidmann
May 12, 2000·European Journal of Biochemistry·T Sasaki, H Fujiwara
Aug 10, 2000·Neoplasia : an International Journal for Oncology Research·L A BryceW N Keith
Feb 7, 2001·Molecular and Cellular Biology·W WeiJ V Moran

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 30, 2017·Viruses·Elena Casacuberta
Dec 23, 2017·Mobile DNA·Thomas WickerHeidrun Gundlach
Dec 10, 2019·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·Dragomira N MarkovaEsther Betrán
Sep 5, 2019·Genes & Development·Rachel L CosbyCédric Feschotte
Oct 15, 2020·Biomolecules·Petra Procházková Schrumpfová, Jiří Fajkus

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
TART

Software Mentioned

hTERT

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Trends in Genetics : TIG
Mikhail Chakhparonian, Raymund J Wellinger
Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Elizabeth H Blackburn
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR
Yu-Sheng CongJerry W Shay
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
C C PaoS Hsueh
Archives of Medical Research
Matthew J Greenwood, Peter M Lansdorp
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved