Nearly half of the human genome is derived from mobile genetic elements, commonly referred to as ‘jumping genes’. The LINE-1 retrotransposon is one of these elements, the activity of which may not only lead to new, potentially mutagenic insertions within the genome, but also underlies intracellular innate immunity causing chronic inflammation, cellular senescence, and carcinogenesis. A team of scientists from the ICHB PAS, led by dr hab. Zbigniew Warkocki (dr Damian Janecki, MSc Raneet Sen, dr Natalia Szóstak, dr Arkadiusz Kajdasz, MSc Martyna Kordyś, MSc Kinga Plawgo, MSc Dmytro Pandakov, dr Anna Philips) demonstrated the important role of non-genomically encoded LINE-1 mRNA 3’ ends in the biology and retrotransposition of LINE-1. By using cells deprived of XRN1 and/or DCP2 enzymatic activities the team demonstrated increased occurrence of deadenylated and uridylated LINE-1 mRNA, which led to significantly lower retrotransposition. Since a substantial fraction of LINE-1 mRNA in human cells is deadenylated and uridylated the scientists conclude that retrotransposition potential of these retrotransposons is low.

Link to the article:

https://academic.oup.com/nar/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nar/gkad1251/7513808?searchresult=1