Molecular Mimicry of Transposable Elements in Plants

Chu, Jie; Newman, Josephine; Cho, Jungnam

Abstract

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA elements that are particularly abundant in the plant genomes. They have long been considered as junk DNA; however, a growing body of evidence suggests that TE insertions promote genetic diversity that is essential for the adaptive evolution of a species. Thus far, studies have mainly investigated the cis-acting regulatory roles of TEs generated by their insertions nearby or within the host genes. However, the trans-acting effects of TE-derived RNA and DNA remained obscure to date. TEs contain various regulatory elements within their sequences that can accommodate the binding of specific RNAs and proteins. Recently, it was suggested that some of these cellular regulators are shared between TEs and the host genes, and the competition for the common host factors underlies the fine-tuned developmental reprogramming. In this review, we will highlight and discuss the latest discoveries on the biological functions of plant TEs, with a particular focus on their competitive binding with specific developmental regulators.

Citation

Chu, J., Newman, J., & Cho, J. (2024). Molecular Mimicry of Transposable Elements in Plants. Plant & Cell Physiology, https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcae058

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 17, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 18, 2024
• Publication Date: May 18, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 7, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 30, 2024
• Journal: Plant & Cell Physiology
• Print ISSN: 0032-0781
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-9053
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcae058
• Keywords: Oryza sativa, Transcription factor sponge, Arabidopsis thaliana, miRNA target mimic, Transposable elements, Extrachromosomal DNA
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2434119