A mouse-specific retrotransposon drives a conserved Cdk2ap1 isoform essential for development.

ABSTRACT: Retrotransposons mediate gene regulation in important developmental and pathological processes. Here, we characterized the transient retrotransposon induction during preimplantation development of eight mammals. Induced retrotransposons exhibit similar preimplantation profiles across species, conferring gene regulatory activities, particularly through long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon promoters. A mouse-specific MT2B2 retrotransposon promoter generates an N-terminally truncated Cdk2ap1^ΔN that peaks in preimplantation embryos and promotes proliferation. In contrast, the canonical Cdk2ap1 peaks in mid-gestation and represses cell proliferation. This MT2B2 promoter, whose deletion abolishes Cdk2ap1^ΔN production, reduces cell proliferation and impairs embryo impl

SUBMITTER: Modzelewski AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8787082 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature