title: Control of mammalian retrotransposons by cellular RNA processing activities.
abstract: Retrotransposons make up roughly 50% of the mammalian genome and have played an important role in genome evolution. A small fraction of non-LTR retrotransposons, LINE-1 and SINE elements, is currently active in the human genome. These elements move in our genome using an intermediate RNA and a reverse transcriptase activity by a copy and paste mechanism. Their ongoing mobilization can impact the human genome leading to several human disorders. However, how the cell controls the activity of these elements minimizing their mutagenic effect is not fully understood. Recent studies have highlighted that the intermediate RNA of retrotransposons is a target of different mechanisms that limit the mobilization of endogenous retrotransposons in mammals. Here, we provide an overview of recent discoveries that show how RNA processing events can act to control the activity of mammalian retrotransposons and discuss several arising questions that remain to be answered.
authors.affiliation: GENYO; Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government; Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Sara R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Heras
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit; Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine; University of Edinburgh; Western General Hospital; Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macias
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit; Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine; University of Edinburgh; Western General Hospital; Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Javier F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cáceres
authors.affiliation: GENYO; Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government; Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Garcia-Perez
keywords: DGCR8; Dicer; Drosha; LINE-1; Microprocessor; SINE-1; microRNAs; retrotransposon; small RNAs; transposable elements