Species-specific endogenous retroviruses shape the transcriptional network of the human tumor suppressor protein p53.

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary forces that establish and hone target gene networks of transcription factors are largely unknown. Transposition of retroelements may play a role, but its global importance, beyond a few well described examples for isolated genes, is not clear. We report that LTR class I endogenous retrovirus (ERV) retroelements impact considerably the transcriptional network of human tumor suppressor protein p53. A total of 1,509 of approximately 319,000 human ERV LTR regions have a near-perfect p53 DNA binding site. The LTR10 and MER61 families are particularly enriched for copies with a p53 site. These ERV families are primate-specific and transposed actively near the time when the New World and Old World monkey lineages split. Other mammalian species lack these p53 response elements. An

SUBMITTER: Wang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2141825 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature