Mouse strain-specific polymorphic provirus functions as cis-regulatory element leading to epigenomic and transcriptomic variations.

ABSTRACT: Polymorphic integrations of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have been previously detected in mouse and human genomes. While most are inert, a subset can influence the activity of the host genes. However, the molecular mechanism underlying how such elements affect the epigenome and transcriptome and their roles in driving intra-specific variation remain unclear. Here, by utilizing wildtype murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) derived from distinct genetic backgrounds, we discover a polymorphic MMERGLN (GLN) element capable of regulating H3K27ac enrichment and transcription of neighboring loci. We demonstrate that this polymorphic element can enhance the neighboring Klhdc4 gene expression in cis, which alters the activity of downstream stress response genes. These results suggest that the poly

SUBMITTER: Zhou X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8578388 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature