The impact of transposable elements on eukaryotic genomes: From genome size increase to genetic adaptation to stressful environments

Benoît Chénais (1) , Aurore Caruso (1) , Sophie Hiard (1) , Nathalie Casse (1)

1 MMS - Mer, molécules et santé EA 2160

Transposable elements (TEs) are present in roughly all genomes. These mobile DNA sequences are able to invade genomes and their impact on genome evolution is substantial. The mobility of TEs can induce the appearance of deleterious mutations, gene disruption and chromosome rearrangements, but transposition activity also has positive aspects and the mutational activities of TEs contribute to the genetic diversity of organisms. This short review aims to give a brief overview of the impact TEs may have on animal and plant genome structure and expression, and the relationship between TEs and the stress response of organisms , including insecticide resistance.

Mots clés: Genome evolution; Genetic adaptation; Gene expression; Insecticide resistance; Mutagenesis; Stress response

Domaines: Génétique; Biochimie, Biologie Moléculaire; Génomique, Transcriptomique et Protéomique [q-bio.GN]

Benoît Chénais, Aurore Caruso, Sophie Hiard, Nathalie Casse. The impact of transposable elements on eukaryotic genomes: From genome size increase to genetic adaptation to stressful environments. Gene, 2012, 509 (1), pp.7-15. ⟨10.1016/j.gene.2012.07.042⟩. ⟨hal-02050257⟩