Alu elements: know the SINEs

Genome Biol. 2011 Dec 28;12(12):236. doi: 10.1186/gb-2011-12-12-236.

Abstract

Alu elements are primate-specific repeats and comprise 11% of the human genome. They have wide-ranging influences on gene expression. Their contribution to genome evolution, gene regulation and disease is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alu Elements / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genome, Human*
  • Genomic Instability
  • Humans
  • Mutagenesis, Insertional / genetics*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Primates / genetics*
  • Retroelements / genetics

Substances

  • Retroelements