Retroviral elements and their hosts: insertional mutagenesis in the mouse germ line.
The inbred mouse is an invaluable model for human biology and disease. Nevertheless, when considering genetic mechanisms of variation and disease, it is important to appreciate the significant differences in the spectra of spontaneous mutations that distinguish these species. While insertions of transposable elements are responsible for only approximately 0.1% of de novo mutations in humans, the figure is 100-fold higher in the laboratory mouse. This striking difference is largely due to the ongoing activity of mouse endogenous retroviral elements. Here we briefly review mouse endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and their influence on gene expression, analyze mechanisms of interaction between ERVs and the host cell, and summarize the variety of mutations caused by ERV insertions. The prevalence of mouse ERV activity indicates that the genome of the laboratory mouse is presently behind in the "arms race" against invasion.
Maksakova
Irina A
IA
Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Romanish
Mark T
MT
Gagnier
Liane
L
Dunn
Catherine A
CA
van de Lagemaat
Louie N
LN
Mager
Dixie L
DL
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics*; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D016678:Genome; D005854:Germ Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008954:Models, Biological; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009154:Mutation; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional