逆转录转座子LINE-1是人类基因组中最大的转座子家族,约有500 000个拷贝,占人类基因组总量的17%,同时它也是人类基因组中唯一具有自主转座能力的转座子。LINE-1编码的逆转录酶是LINE-1转座所必需,近年来的研究表明该酶在包括肿瘤形成等重要的病理或生理过程中都发挥着重要的作用。抑制该酶的活性可阻滞肿瘤发展的进程、恢复肿瘤细胞的分化状态以及改变肿瘤细胞的转录组谱。本文根据近年来对LINE-1编码的逆转录酶的研究进展,介绍该酶通过对非编码RNA转录组谱的调控在肿瘤形成过程中产生的作用,以期为肿瘤的早期诊断以及抗肿瘤药物的开发提供一些线索。

The retrotransposon LINE-1 is the largest transposon family of humans with an estimated 500 000 copies representing 17% of the human genome. Meanwhile, it is also the sole autonomous transposon in humans. The reverse transcriptase encoded by LINE-1 is the key component required for its transposition process. Recent evidence suggests that the LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase is involved in many important physiological and pathological processes including tumorigenesis. The inhibition of LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase inhibits tumor progression, restores cancer cell differentiation and reprograms global transcription profiles. In this review, we summarize newly emerged evidence, and conclude that the LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase influences tumorigenesis by shaping the non-coding RNA transcriptomic profile. We hope that this review may shed light on clinical diagnosis and drug development against cancer.