Transposons disrupt genomic stability and trigger cancers

Transposons (TEs) are genetic elements that can change their positions within genome. They cause transcriptional activation or repression by inserting into regulatory elements of related genes or by modulating epigenetic modifications on regulatory elements. In addition, some transposons encode and express peptides or proteins that affect or disrupt the cellular biological functions. Recent studies have demonstrated that while host cells effectively control most transposons, certain harmful insertions can disrupt normal gene expression processes, potentially leading to diseases. In this mini-review, we discuss recent advances in understanding how transposons contribute to genomic instability. We hope to provide researchers and clinical practitioners with new insights into transposon biology and its potential implications for disease pathogenesis.