Cited by 490Chromosomal and Genetic VariationsGenomics and Chromatin DynamicsRNA Research and Splicing

Transcriptional disruption by the L1 retrotransposon and implications for mammalian transcriptomes

Han, Jeffrey S., Szak, Suzanne T., Boeke, Jef D.·2004·Nature

Abstract

LINE-1 (L1) elements are the most abundant autonomous retrotransposons in the human genome, accounting for about 17% of human DNA. The L1 retrotransposon encodes two proteins, open reading frame (ORF)1 and the ORF2 endonuclease/reverse transcriptase. L1 RNA and ORF2 protein are difficult to detect in mammalian cells, even in the context of overexpression systems. Here we show that inserting L1 sequences on a transcript significantly decreases RNA expression and therefore protein expression. This decreased RNA concentration does not result from major effects on the transcription initiation rate or RNA stability. Rather, the poor L1 expression is primarily due to inadequate transcriptional elongation. Because L1 is an abundant and broadly distributed mobile element, the inhibition of transcriptional elongation by L1 might profoundly affect expression of endogenous human genes. We propose a model in which L1 affects gene expression genome-wide by acting as a 'molecular rheostat' of target genes. Bioinformatic data are consistent with the hypothesis that L1 can serve as an evolutionary fine-tuner of the human transcriptome.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature02536

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Authors
Han, J. S., Szak, S. T., & Boeke, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • Biogen (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Boeke, Jef D.
Venue
Nature
Published
2004-05
Volume
429
Issue
6989
Pages
268-274
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W1981262837
Cited by
484
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 34
FWCI
48.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Research and Splicing
Keywords
LINE-1 retrotransposons, transcription elongation, ORF1, retrotransposon expression, gene expression regulation, human transcriptome, transposable elements, RNA stability, transcription initiation
MeSH terms
Animals, Base Sequence, Cell Line, Endonucleases, Half-Life, Humans, Mammals, Models, Genetic, RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase, RNA Polymerase III, RNA, Messenger, Transcription, Genetic, Down-Regulation, Open Reading Frames, Evolution, Molecular, Computational Biology, Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements, RNA Stability, Feedback, Physiological, Mice

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