Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 (LINE-1) elements, comprising about 20% of the human genome, are mobile genetic elements that can copy and insert themselves into new DNA locations. These retrotransposons can move around the genome, potentially causing health issues. Recent research has highlighted the role of LINE-1 elements in various biological processes, and their dysfunction is thought to be linked with diseases and cancers.
Impact on Health
When LINE-1 inserts itself into critical genes, it can lead to neurological disorders, cancer development, and accelerated aging. Aberrant LINE-1 expression can impact human health by causing diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation that might lead to autoimmune disorders. LINE-1 retrotransposition can also lead to genomic instability.
Potential in Gene Therapy
Understanding the mechanisms of LINE-1 activity opens up new possibilities for developing innovative medical approaches, including gene therapy. Researchers are exploring the use of retrotransposons for gene delivery, aiming to insert genes safely and efficiently. The use of retrotransposons, such as the R2 protein, which inserts genes into the repetitive ribosomal-RNA encoding sections of the genome, is being investigated as a potential method for safe transgene insertion. The finalized technique is called PRINT, which stands for Precise RNA-mediated INsertion of Transgenes. It consists of a two-part RNA system, whereby one RNA encodes the R2 protein and the other encodes a transgene along with its regulatory machinery.