Up to 50% of most mammalian genomes are made up of transposable elements (TEs) that have the potential to mobilize around the genome. Despite this prevalence, research on TEs is only beginning to gain traction within the field of neuroscience. While TEs have long been regarded as “junk” or parasitic DNA, it has become evident that they are adaptive DNA and RNA regulatory elements. In addition to their vital role in normal development, TEs can also interact with steroid receptors, which are key elements to sexual development. In this review, we provide an overview of the involvement of TEs in processes related to sexual development- from TE activity in the germline to TE accumulation in sex chromosomes. Moreover, we highlight sex differences in TE activity and their regulation of genes related to sexual development. Finally, we speculate on the epigenetic mechanisms that may govern TEs’ role in sexual development. In this context, we emphasize the need to further the understanding of sexual development through the lens of TEs including in a variety of organs at different developmental stages, their molecular networks, and evolution.
展开▼
机译：高达 50% 的哺乳动物基因组由转座因子 （TE） 组成，这些转座因子有可能在基因组周围动员。尽管如此普遍，但对 TE 的研究才刚刚开始在神经科学领域获得关注。虽然 TE 长期以来一直被视为“垃圾”或寄生 DNA，但很明显它们是适应性 DNA 和 RNA 调节元件。除了在正常发育中起重要作用外，TE 还可以与类固醇受体相互作用，类固醇受体是性发育的关键要素。在这篇综述中，我们概述了 TE 参与与性发育相关的过程 - 从种系中的 TE 活性到性染色体中的 TE 积累。此外，我们强调了 TE 活性的性别差异及其对与性发育相关的基因的调节。最后，我们推测了可能控制 TE 在性发育中的作用的表观遗传机制。在这种情况下，我们强调需要通过 TE 的视角进一步理解性发育，包括处于不同发育阶段的各种器官、它们的分子网络和进化。
展开▼
