Retroviral Elements and Their Hosts: Insertional Mutagenesis in the Mouse Germ Line

Overview

Journal PLoS Genet

Specialty Genetics

Date 2006 Jan 28

PMID 16440055

Citations 215

Authors

Irina A Maksakova

Mark T Romanish

Liane Gagnier

Catherine A Dunn

Louie N van de Lagemaat

Dixie L Mager

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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