Epigenetic regulation of transcription and possible functions of mammalian short interspersed elements, SINEs

摘要: Short interspersed elements (SINEs) are a class of retrotransposons, which amplify their copy numbers in host genomes by retrotransposition. More than million copies SINEs present mammalian genome, constituting over 10% the total genomic sequence. In contrast to other two classes long (LINEs) and terminal repeat (LTR) elements, transcribed RNA polymerase III. However, like LINEs LTR SINE transcription is likely regulated epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, at least for human Alu mouse B1. Whereas transposable have been thought selfish or junk DNA, recent studies revealed that they play functional roles locations, example, distal enhancers, chromatin boundaries binding sites many factors. These activities imply retrotransposition has shaped regulatory network landscape hosts. it were originated defense system against proliferation parasitic this review discusses possibility same also used regulate SINE-derived functions.