Transposable elements and the epigenetic regulation of the genome.
Overlapping epigenetic mechanisms have evolved in eukaryotic cells to silence the expression and mobility of transposable elements (TEs). Owing to their ability to recruit the silencing machinery, TEs have served as building blocks for epigenetic phenomena, both at the level of single genes and across larger chromosomal regions. Important progress has been made recently in understanding these silencing mechanisms. In addition, new insights have been gained into how this silencing has been co-opted to serve essential functions in 'host' cells, highlighting the importance of TEs in the epigenetic regulation of the genome.
Slotkin
R Keith
RK
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA.
Martienssen
Robert
R
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D020868:Gene Silencing; D016678:Genome; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010641:Phenotype; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002843:Chromatin; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements