title: Retrotransposons and non-protein coding RNAs.
abstract: Retrotransposons constitute a significant fraction of mammalian genomes. Considering the finding of widespread transcriptional activity across entire genomes, it is not surprising that retrotransposons contribute to the collective RNA pool. However, the transcriptional output from retrotransposons does not merely represent spurious transcription. We review examples of functional RNAs transcribed from retrotransposons, and address the collection of non-protein coding RNAs derived from transposable element sequences, including numerous human microRNAs and the neuronal BC RNAs. Finally, we review the emerging understanding of how retrotransposons themselves are regulated by small RNAs.
authors.affiliation: Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. tmourier@snm.ku.dk
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mourier
authors.forename: Eske
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willerslev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*; D018626:Retroelements; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D018626:Retroelements