title: Altering Genomic Integrity: Heavy Metal Exposure Promotes Transposable Element-Mediated Damage.
abstract: Maintenance of genomic integrity is critical for cellular homeostasis and survival. The active transposable elements (TEs) composed primarily of three mobile element lineages LINE-1, Alu, and SVA comprise approximately 30% of the mass of the human genome. For the past 2 decades, studies have shown that TEs significantly contribute to genetic instability and that TE-caused damages are associated with genetic diseases and cancer. Different environmental exposures, including several heavy metals, influence how TEs interact with its host genome increasing their negative impact. This mini-review provides some basic knowledge on TEs, their contribution to disease, and an overview of the current knowledge on how heavy metals influence TE-mediated damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Tulane Cancer Center, SL-66, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Servant
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ade
authors.forename: Astrid M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Roy-Engel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D018626:Retroelements / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D018626:Retroelements