Preferential Epigenetic Suppression of the Autonomous MusD over the Nonautonomous ETn Mouse Retrotransposons

LTR-Retrotransposon Control by tRNA-Derived Small RNAs

“…Thus any MusD copy that escapes epigenetic silencing and RNAi inhibition can still successfully replicate abundant non-coding ETn transcripts which by-pass splicing and translation and may “go incognito” for transcriptional- and post-transcriptional silencing. Indeed, ETn elements are much less of a target of epigenetic silencing in the mouse genome than the coding competent MusD (Maksakova et al, 2009), and ETn is much more successful in terms of genome penetrance and novel insertions (Nellaker et al, 2012). Notably, tRF are able to safeguard genome integrity against LTR-retrotransposons which escape other means of detection by specifically recognizing RNA that has the ability to move, i.e.…”

Endogenous retroviral LTRs as promoters for human genes: A critical assessment

“…Some young ERV LTRs in mice are stochastically methylated, resulting in certain copies escaping silencing (Maksakova et al, 2009;Morgan et al, 1999). DNA methylation is erased and reset early in development, and during this period some ERVs are known to become transcriptionally active (Maksakova et al, 2009;Peaston et al, 2004).…”

Retroelements: molecular features and implications for disease

“…Their expression in hESCs, particularly the expression of pluripotent genes, is due to epigenetic control (Macia et al, 2011). Histones modification of retroelements is known to occur in stem cells (Maksakova et al, 2009). The modification status appears to depend on the state of cellular differentiation in which modification of retroelements can be easily changed during the early developmental stage by the epigenetic reprogram (Maksakova et al, 2009).…”

“…Histones modification of retroelements is known to occur in stem cells (Maksakova et al, 2009). The modification status appears to depend on the state of cellular differentiation in which modification of retroelements can be easily changed during the early developmental stage by the epigenetic reprogram (Maksakova et al, 2009). However, epigenetic features can vary, depending on the cell fate, conditions, stage of differentiation, and related disease.…”