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The role of retrotransposable elements in ageing and age-associated diseases

Author

Listed:
  • Vera Gorbunova

    (University of Rochester
    University of Rochester)

  • Andrei Seluanov

    (University of Rochester
    University of Rochester)

  • Paolo Mita

    (NYU Langone Health
    NYU Langone Health
    Pandemic Response Lab)

  • Wilson McKerrow

    (NYU Langone Health
    NYU Langone Health)

  • David Fenyö

    (NYU Langone Health
    NYU Langone Health)

  • Jef D. Boeke

    (NYU Langone Health
    NYU Langone Health
    NYU Tandon School of Engineering)

  • Sara B. Linker

    (Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies)

  • Fred H. Gage

    (Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies)

  • Jill A. Kreiling

    (Brown University
    Brown University)

  • Anna P. Petrashen

    (Brown University
    Brown University)

  • Trenton A. Woodham

    (Brown University
    Brown University)

  • Jackson R. Taylor

    (Brown University
    Brown University)

  • Stephen L. Helfand

    (Brown University
    Brown University)

  • John M. Sedivy

    (Brown University
    Brown University)

Abstract

The genomes of virtually all organisms contain repetitive sequences that are generated by the activity of transposable elements (transposons). Transposons are mobile genetic elements that can move from one genomic location to another; in this process, they amplify and increase their presence in genomes, sometimes to very high copy numbers. In this Review we discuss new evidence and ideas that the activity of retrotransposons, a major subgroup of transposons overall, influences and even promotes the process of ageing and age-related diseases in complex metazoan organisms, including humans. Retrotransposons have been coevolving with their host genomes since the dawn of life. This relationship has been largely competitive, and transposons have earned epithets such as ‘junk DNA’ and ‘molecular parasites’. Much of our knowledge of the evolution of retrotransposons reflects their activity in the germline and is evident from genome sequence data. Recent research has provided a wealth of information on the activity of retrotransposons in somatic tissues during an individual lifespan, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this activity, and the manner in which these processes intersect with our own physiology, health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Vera Gorbunova & Andrei Seluanov & Paolo Mita & Wilson McKerrow & David Fenyö & Jef D. Boeke & Sara B. Linker & Fred H. Gage & Jill A. Kreiling & Anna P. Petrashen & Trenton A. Woodham & Jackson R. Ta, 2021. "The role of retrotransposable elements in ageing and age-associated diseases," Nature, Nature, vol. 596(7870), pages 43-53, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:596:y:2021:i:7870:d:10.1038_s41586-021-03542-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03542-y
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yung-Heng Chang & Josh Dubnau, 2023. "Endogenous retroviruses and TDP-43 proteinopathy form a sustaining feedback driving intercellular spread of Drosophila neurodegeneration," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Chunwei Zheng & Bin Liu & Xiaolong Dong & Nicholas Gaston & Erik J. Sontheimer & Wen Xue, 2023. "Template-jumping prime editing enables large insertion and exon rewriting in vivo," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Ádám Sturm & Éva Saskői & Bernadette Hotzi & Anna Tarnóci & János Barna & Ferenc Bodnár & Himani Sharma & Tibor Kovács & Eszter Ari & Nóra Weinhardt & Csaba Kerepesi & András Perczel & Zoltán Ivics & , 2023. "Downregulation of transposable elements extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Gangming Zhang & Chunwei Zheng & Yue-he Ding & Craig Mello, 2024. "Casein kinase II promotes piRNA production through direct phosphorylation of USTC component TOFU-4," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Sudip Kumar Paul & Motohiko Oshima & Ashwini Patil & Masamitsu Sone & Hisaya Kato & Yoshiro Maezawa & Hiyori Kaneko & Masaki Fukuyo & Bahityar Rahmutulla & Yasuo Ouchi & Kyoko Tsujimura & Mahito Nakan, 2024. "Retrotransposons in Werner syndrome-derived macrophages trigger type I interferon-dependent inflammation in an atherosclerosis model," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.

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