Retroviral elements and their hosts: insertional mutagenesis in the mouse germ line.
PLoS Genet
; 2(1): e2, 2006 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16440055
ABSTRACT
The inbred mouse is an invaluable model for human biology and disease. Nevertheless, when considering genetic mechanisms of variation and disease, it is important to appreciate the significant differences in the spectra of spontaneous mutations that distinguish these species. While insertions of transposable elements are responsible for only approximately 0.1% of de novo mutations in humans, the figure is 100-fold higher in the laboratory mouse. This striking difference is largely due to the ongoing activity of mouse endogenous retroviral elements. Here we briefly review mouse endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and their influence on gene expression, analyze mechanisms of interaction between ERVs and the host cell, and summarize the variety of mutations caused by ERV insertions. The prevalence of mouse ERV activity indicates that the genome of the laboratory mouse is presently behind in the "arms race" against invasion.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Mutagênese
/
Retrovirus Endógenos
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article