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

作者：Morales Maria E; Servant Geraldine; Ade Catherine; Roy Engel Astrid M^*

来源：Biological Trace Element Research, 2015, 166(1): 24-33.

DOI：10.1007/s12011-015-0298-3

• Transposable element
• Retroelement
• Heavy metals
• Genetic damage

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.

• 出版日期2015-7