Epigenetic regulation and functional exaptation of transposable elements in higher plants

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can proliferate in their host genomes. Because of their robust amplification, TEs have long been considered 'selfish DNA', harmful insertions that can threaten host genome integrity. The idea of TEs as junk DNA comes from analysi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in plant biology 2014-10, Vol.21, p.83-88
Main Authors: Cui, Xiekui, Cao, Xiaofeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arabidopsis
DNA Transposable Elements - genetics
DNA Transposable Elements - physiology
Epigenesis, Genetic - genetics
Epigenesis, Genetic - physiology
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - physiology
Genome, Plant - genetics
Genome, Plant - physiology
Oryza sativa
Plant Physiological Phenomena - genetics
Plants - genetics
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Summary:Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can proliferate in their host genomes. Because of their robust amplification, TEs have long been considered 'selfish DNA', harmful insertions that can threaten host genome integrity. The idea of TEs as junk DNA comes from analysis of epigenetic silencing of their mobility in plants and animals. This idea contrasts with McClintock's characterization of TEs as 'controlling elements'. Emerging studies on the regulatory functions of TEs in plant genomes have updated McClintock's characterization, indicating exaptation of TEs for genetic regulation. In this review, we summarize recent progress in TE silencing, particularly in Arabidopsis and rice, and show that TEs provide an abundant, natural source of regulation for the host genome.
ISSN:1369-5266
1879-0356
DOI:10.1016/j.pbi.2014.07.001