Sensing of transposable elements by the antiviral innate immune system.

ABSTRACT: Around half of the genome in mammals is composed of transposable elements (TEs) such as DNA transposons and retrotransposons. Several mechanisms have evolved to prevent their activity and the detrimental impact of their insertional mutagenesis. Despite these potentially negative effects, TEs are essential drivers of evolution, and in certain settings, beneficial to their hosts. For instance, TEs have rewired the antiviral gene regulatory network and are required for early embryonic development. However, due to structural similarities between TE-derived and viral nucleic acids, cells can misidentify TEs as invading viruses and trigger the major antiviral innate immune pathway, the type I interferon (IFN) response. This review will focus on the different settings in which the role of TE-medi

SUBMITTER: Gazquez-Gutierrez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8208052 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature