Do Small RNAs Interfere With LINE-1?

[摘要] Long interspersed elements (LINE-1 or L1) are the most activetransposable elements in the human genome. Due to their high copynumber and ability to sponsor retrotransposition of nonautonomousRNA sequences, unchecked L1 activity can negatively impact thegenome by a number of means. Substantial evidence in lowereukaryotes demonstrates that the RNA interference (RNAi) machineryplays a major role in containing transposon activity. Despiteextensive analysis in other eukaryotes, no experimental evidencehas been presented that L1-derived siRNAs exist, or that the RNAiplays a significant role in restricting L1 activity in the humangenome. This review will present evidence showing a direct rolefor RNAi in suppressing the movement of transposable elements inother eukaryotes, as well as speculate on the role RNAi might playin protecting the human genome from LINE-1 activity.

[学科分类] 基础医学