Review
Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons: mechanisms, recent developments, and unanswered questions
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Correspondence: Jeffrey S Han han@ciwemb.edu
Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore, MD, USA
Mobile DNA 2010, 1:15 doi:10.1186/1759-8753-1-15
Published: 12 May 2010Abstract
Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are present in most eukaryotic genomes. In some species, such as humans, these elements are the most abundant genome sequence and continue to replicate to this day, creating a source of endogenous mutations and potential genotoxic stress. This review will provide a general outline of the replicative cycle of non-LTR retrotransposons. Recent findings regarding the host regulation of non-LTR retrotransposons will be summarized. Finally, future directions of interest will be discussed.