Insights into mammalian TE diversity through the curation of 248 genome assemblies.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
Authors
Abstract

We examined transposable element (TE) content of 248 placental mammal genome assemblies, the largest de novo TE curation effort in eukaryotes to date. We found that although mammals resemble one another in total TE content and diversity, they show substantial differences with regard to recent TE accumulation. This includes multiple recent expansion and quiescence events across the mammalian tree. Young TEs, particularly long interspersed elements, drive increases in genome size, whereas DNA transposons are associated with smaller genomes. Mammals tend to accumulate only a few types of TEs at any given time, with one TE type dominating. We also found association between dietary habit and the presence of DNA transposon invasions. These detailed annotations will serve as a benchmark for future comparative TE analyses among placental mammals.

Year of Publication
2023
Journal
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Volume
380
Issue
6643
Pages
eabn1430
Date Published
04/2023
ISSN
1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.abn1430
PubMed ID
37104570
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