撰文丨王聪 编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 转座元件 （Transposable Element，TE） ，即 转座子 ，其本 质是一类能够在基因组中移动或复制自身到不同位置的 DNA 序列，因此也被称为"跳跃基因"， 广泛存在于各类生物的基因组中。 转座子移动整合到基因内或基因附近位点时，常常会破坏基因功能。这通常被细胞视为需要被控制的遗传"寄生"，为了应对这种威胁，生物体进化表观遗传系统 来限制转座子的表达和复制。然而，尽管存在这些限制系统，现存基因组中转座子仍占有相当大的比例 （3%-80%） ，这表明，针对转座子的沉默系统并非万 无一失。 当转座子沉默系统失效，且转座子移动到基因内时，生物体是否还有保护基因免受破坏的应急系统？ 这一点目前尚不清楚。 近日 ，哈佛医学院 赵龙雯 作为第一作者，在国际顶尖学术期刊 Nature 上 发表了题为： An RNA splicing system that excises DNA transposons from animal mRNAs 的研究论文。 该研究报道了一种全新的、独立于经典剪接体 （spliceosome） 的 RNA 剪接系统—— SOS 剪接 （S ...

Core Insights - The study reveals that non-coding DNA, previously considered "junk," plays a crucial role in gene regulation and brain development, particularly focusing on transposons known as "jumping genes" [1][2] - The research highlights the significance of LINE-1 (L1) transposons in human brain development, suggesting their active role in regulating neural development and potential links to neurodevelopmental disorders [2] Group 1 - The international research team utilized organoids and CRISPR technology to silence L1 sequences, observing significant disruptions in gene expression and brain organoid growth [1] - The findings indicate that L1 transposons are not merely evolutionary remnants but essential components of the gene regulatory network in the brain [2] Group 2 - The study suggests that the activity of L1 transposons may help explain the differences between human brains and those of other primates from an evolutionary perspective [2] - Ongoing research aims to explore the role of transposons in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, potentially revealing disease mechanisms and informing future treatment strategies [2]