逆转录转座子蛋白L1 ORF1p在衰老中枢神经系统中的表达
Retrotransposon Protein L1 ORF1p Expression in Aging Central Nervous System.
作者信息
Vallés-Saiz Laura, Abdelkader-Guillén Aaron, Ávila Jesús, Hernández Félix
机构信息
Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC/UAM, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
出版信息
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 May 4;26(9):4368. doi: 10.3390/ijms26094368.
The long-interspersed elements (LINE-1; L1) represent the main active family of retrotransposons in the human organism, comprising approximately 17% of its content. L1 sequence codifies for the two proteins involved in its retrotransposition: ORF1p, an RNA binding protein, and ORF2p, endowed with endonuclease and reverse transcriptase activity. The vast majority of L1 copies are inactive, with only a small percentage retaining their retrotransposition capacity, posing a threat to the organism due to its mutagenic potential. To mitigate such risks, mammals have evolved intricate regulatory mechanisms, including heterochromatin formation and RNA degradation pathways. Age-related diminution in these regulatory pathways may be particularly important within the Central Nervous System (CNS), where cellular regeneration is limited, and genomic integrity is critical for lifelong function. Here, we describe an age-associated upregulation of ORF1p in the mouse brain, indicating a potential role of L1 activity in aging. We further demonstrate the presence of ORF1p across diverse CNS cell types, including neurons, oligodendrocytes and microglia. Notably, we observe a correlation between ORF1p presence and microglial activation, a hallmark of neuroinflammation, during aging. This study advances our understanding of L1 dynamics in the CNS and underscores the significance of L1 in age-related neurological changes.
长散在元件(LINE-1;L1)是人类机体中逆转录转座子的主要活跃家族,约占其基因组含量的17%。L1序列编码参与其逆转录转座过程的两种蛋白质:ORF1p,一种RNA结合蛋白;以及ORF2p,具有核酸内切酶和逆转录酶活性。绝大多数L1拷贝是无活性的,只有一小部分保留其逆转录转座能力,因其诱变潜力而对机体构成威胁。为了降低此类风险,哺乳动物进化出了复杂的调控机制,包括异染色质形成和RNA降解途径。在中枢神经系统(CNS)中,这些调控途径与年龄相关的减弱可能尤为重要,因为中枢神经系统中细胞再生有限,而基因组完整性对于终身功能至关重要。在此,我们描述了小鼠大脑中ORF1p随年龄增长的上调,表明L1活性在衰老过程中可能发挥作用。我们进一步证明了ORF1p在多种中枢神经系统细胞类型中的存在,包括神经元、少突胶质细胞和小胶质细胞。值得注意的是,我们观察到衰老过程中ORF1p的存在与小胶质细胞激活之间存在相关性,小胶质细胞激活是神经炎症的一个标志。这项研究增进了我们对中枢神经系统中L1动态变化的理解,并强调了L1在与年龄相关的神经变化中的重要性。