title: Transposable elements in mammals promote regulatory variation and diversification of genes with specialized functions.
abstract: Nearly half of mammalian genomes are derived from ancient transposable elements (TEs). We analyzed the prevalence of TEs in untranslated regions of human and mouse mRNAs and found evidence suggesting that TEs affect the expression of many genes through the donation of transcriptional regulatory signals. Furthermore, we found that recently expanded gene classes, such as those involved in immunity or response to external stimuli, have transcripts enriched in TEs, whereas TEs are excluded from mRNAs of highly conserved genes with basic functions in development or metabolism. These results support the view that TEs have played a significant role in the diversification and evolution of mammalian genes.
authors.affiliation: Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 601 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z1L3, Canada.
authors.forename: Louie N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: van de Lagemaat
authors.forename: Josette-Renée
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Landry
authors.forename: Dixie L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Mager
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Medstrand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D001141:Aromatase