The role of LINE-1 transposon plays in cancer: Development, treatment

Abstract

LINE-1 accounts for about more than 15% of the genetic composition in human body, and LINE-1 is the single type of transposon which has the ability of self-initiated transposition. LINE-1 can be inserted into new gene sites through reverse transcription and transposition, leading to genomic instability. Therefore, the body has strict restrictions on not only replication but also transposition, and almost no presence of LINE-1 can be found in casual somatic cells. However, LINE-1 has widespread expression in the vast majority of tumor or cancer tissues, and there is also a lot of evidence indicating that the expression and transposition of LINE-1 are closely related to the emergence and growth of tumors. Expression of LINE-1 is different in tumor cells can serve as a marker for early diagnosis of tumors and an important indicator for evaluating the prognosis of tumor treatment. At the same time, LINE-1 has a potential if being a target for tumor treatment is also expected to be evaluated and validated. This article introduces the operational mechanism and clinical application of LINE-1 in clinical practice, with the aim of providing some reference for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors in clinical practice.