Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), a type of transposable element (TE), have been incorporated throughout evolution into the human genome. We show that many ERVs regulate placental gene expression, which may have helped fuel the rapid evolution of the placenta and could have implications for pregnancy complications.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$189.00 per year
only $15.75 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Roberts, R. M., Green, J. A. & Schulz, L. C. The evolution of the placenta. Reproduction 152, R179–189 (2016). A review article that gives an overview of placental evolution.
Brosens, I., Pijnenborg, R., Vercruysse, L. & Romero, R. The "Great Obstetrical Syndromes" are associated with disorders of deep placentation. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 204, 193–201 (2011). A review article that describes associations between defective deep placentation and pregnancy complications.
Bourque, G. et al. Ten things you should know about transposable elements. Genome Biol. 19, 199 (2018). A review article that provides an introduction to transposable elements (which include ERVs) for non-experts.
Fueyo, R., Judd, J., Feschotte, C. & Wysocka, J. Roles of transposable elements in the regulation of mammalian transcription. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 23, 481–497 (2022). A review article that presents how transposable elements can regulate gene expression.
Venkatesha, S. et al. Soluble endoglin contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Nat. Med. 12, 642–649 (2006). An original report finding elevated endoglin in the sera of preeclamptic women.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Frost, J. M. et al. Regulation of human trophoblast gene expression by endogenous retroviruses. Nat. Struct. Mol. Cell Bio. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-023-00960-6 (2023).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Endogenous retroviruses control human placental gene expression. Nat Struct Mol Biol 30, 415–416 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-023-00965-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-023-00965-1
