{"title":"Transposon-host arms race: a saga of genome evolution.","authors":"Yuka W Iwasaki, Keisuke Shoji, Shinichi Nakagwa, Tomoichiro Miyoshi, Yukihide Tomari","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.009","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Once considered 'junk DNA,' transposons or transposable elements (TEs) are now recognized as key drivers of genome evolution, contributing to genetic diversity, gene regulation, and species diversification. However, their ability to move within the genome poses a potential threat to genome integrity, promoting the evolution of robust host defense systems such as Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs), the human silencing hub (HUSH) complex, 4.5SH RNAs, and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). This ongoing evolutionary arms race between TEs and host defenses continuously reshapes genome architecture and function. This review outlines various host defense mechanisms and explores the dynamic coevolution of TEs and host defenses in animals, highlighting how the defense mechanisms not only safeguard the host genomes but also drive genetic innovation through the arms race.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Trends in Genetics","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.009","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GENETICS & HEREDITY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Once considered 'junk DNA,' transposons or transposable elements (TEs) are now recognized as key drivers of genome evolution, contributing to genetic diversity, gene regulation, and species diversification. However, their ability to move within the genome poses a potential threat to genome integrity, promoting the evolution of robust host defense systems such as Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs), the human silencing hub (HUSH) complex, 4.5SH RNAs, and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). This ongoing evolutionary arms race between TEs and host defenses continuously reshapes genome architecture and function. This review outlines various host defense mechanisms and explores the dynamic coevolution of TEs and host defenses in animals, highlighting how the defense mechanisms not only safeguard the host genomes but also drive genetic innovation through the arms race.
期刊介绍：
Launched in 1985, Trends in Genetics swiftly established itself as a "must-read" for geneticists, offering concise, accessible articles covering a spectrum of topics from developmental biology to evolution. This reputation endures, making TiG a cherished resource in the genetic research community. While evolving with the field, the journal now embraces new areas like genomics, epigenetics, and computational genetics, alongside its continued coverage of traditional subjects such as transcriptional regulation, population genetics, and chromosome biology.
Despite expanding its scope, the core objective of TiG remains steadfast: to furnish researchers and students with high-quality, innovative reviews, commentaries, and discussions, fostering an appreciation for advances in genetic research. Each issue of TiG presents lively and up-to-date Reviews and Opinions, alongside shorter articles like Science & Society and Spotlight pieces. Invited from leading researchers, Reviews objectively chronicle recent developments, Opinions provide a forum for debate and hypothesis, and shorter articles explore the intersection of genetics with science and policy, as well as emerging ideas in the field. All articles undergo rigorous peer-review.
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