title: Transposable elements: The enemies within.
abstract: Understanding transformation mechanisms other than genetic aberrations has recently captured the attention of cancer researchers. To date, the role of transposable elements (TEs) in tumor development remains largely undefined. However, an increasing number of studies have reported that loss of epigenetic control causes TE reactivation and consequent oncogenic transcription. Here, we discuss principal examples of TEs-driven oncogenesis. Available data suggest that long terminal repeats and long interspersed nuclear elements play a pivotal role as alternative promoters. These findings provide definitive experimental evidence that repetitive elements are a powerful underestimated force toward oncogenesis and open the possibility to new therapeutic treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Scarfò
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mereu
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino, Italy; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Inghirami
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: roberto.piva@unito.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D020084:Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D020079:Terminal Repeat Sequences
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements