Latent regulatory potential of human-specific repetitive elements

Ward, M. C. et al. (2013) Latent regulatory potential of human-specific repetitive elements. Molecular Cell, 49(2), pp. 262-272. (doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.11.013) (PMID:23246434) (PMCID:PMC3560060)

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Abstract

At least half of the human genome is derived from repetitive elements, which are often lineage specific and silenced by a variety of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Using a transchromosomic mouse strain that transmits an almost complete single copy of human chromosome 21 via the female germline, we show that a heterologous regulatory environment can transcriptionally activate transposon-derived human regulatory regions. In the mouse nucleus, hundreds of locations on human chromosome 21 newly associate with activating histone modifications in both somatic and germline tissues, and influence the gene expression of nearby transcripts. These regions are enriched with primate and human lineage-specific transposable elements, and their activation corresponds to changes in DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides. This study reveals the latent regulatory potential of the repetitive human genome and illustrates the species specificity of mechanisms that control it.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kirschner, Dr Kristina
Authors: Ward, M. C., Wilson, M. D., Barbosa-Morais, N. L., Schmidt, D., Stark, R., Pan, Q., Schwalie, P. C., Menon, S., Lukk, M., Watt, S., Thybert, D., Kutter, C., Kirschner, K., Flicek, P., Blencowe, B. J., and Odom, D. T.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Molecular Cell
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1097-2765
ISSN (Online):1097-4164
Published Online:13 December 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
First Published:First published in Molecular Cell 49(2):262-272
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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