Transposon Reactivation in the Germline May Be Useful for Both Transposons and Their Host Genomes

Abstract

Transposable elements (TEs) are long-term residents of eukaryotic genomes that make up a large portion of these genomes. They can be considered as perfectly fine members of genomes replicating with resident genes and being transmitted vertically to the next generation. However, unlike regular genes, TEs have the ability to send new copies to new sites. As such, they have been considered as parasitic members ensuring their own replication. In another view, TEs may also be considered as symbiotic sequences providing shared benefits after mutualistic interactions with their host genome. In this review, we recall the relationship between TEs and their host genome and discuss why transient relaxation of TE silencing within specific developmental windows may be useful for both.