Altering Genomic Integrity: Heavy Metal Exposure Promotes Transposable Element-Mediated Damage.

Abstract

Maintenance of genomic integrity is critical for cellular homeostasis and survival. The active transposable elements (TEs) composed primarily of three mobile element lineages LINE-1, Alu, and SVA comprise approximately 30% of the mass of the human genome. For the past 2 decades, studies have shown that TEs significantly contribute to genetic instability and that TE-caused damages are associated with genetic diseases and cancer. Different environmental exposures, including several heavy metals, influence how TEs interact with its host genome increasing their negative impact. This mini-review provides some basic knowledge on TEs, their contribution to disease, and an overview of the current knowledge on how heavy metals influence TE-mediated damage.

• Authors: Maria E Morales, Geraldine Servant, Catherine Ade, Astrid M Roy-Engel
• Journal: Biological trace element research (Biol Trace Elem Res) Vol. 166 Issue 1 Pg. 24-33 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 1559-0720 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25774044 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• DNA Transposable Elements
• Metals, Heavy
• Retroelements

Topics

• Animals
• DNA Damage
• DNA Transposable Elements (genetics)
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects)
• Epigenesis, Genetic
• Genomic Instability (drug effects, genetics)
• Humans
• Metals, Heavy (toxicity)
• Mutagenesis, Insertional
• Retroelements (genetics)