title: Epigenetic regulation and functional exaptation of transposable elements in higher plants.
abstract: Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can proliferate in their host genomes. Because of their robust amplification, TEs have long been considered 'selfish DNA', harmful insertions that can threaten host genome integrity. The idea of TEs as junk DNA comes from analysis of epigenetic silencing of their mobility in plants and animals. This idea contrasts with McClintock's characterization of TEs as 'controlling elements'. Emerging studies on the regulatory functions of TEs in plant genomes have updated McClintock's characterization, indicating exaptation of TEs for genetic regulation. In this review, we summarize recent progress in TE silencing, particularly in Arabidopsis and rice, and show that TEs provide an abundant, natural source of regulation for the host genome.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
authors: Xiekui
authors: X
authors: Cui
authors: State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: xfcao@genetics.ac.cn.
authors: Xiaofeng
authors: X
authors: Cao
mesh_terms: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements