26. Host factors involved in L1 retrotransposition
Over evolutionary time, there has clearly been a battle between mobile DNA and host organisms. Mobile DNA is continuously expanding genomes, altering them, and affecting the expression of many genes. Thus, mobile DNA has added to the plasticity and diversity needed to continue the process of the evolution of species. Although this mutation process is usually detrimental, that is, most mutations are either bad or at best neutral for an organism, it can be occasionally favorable and worthy of genetic selection. On the other hand, organisms can’t allow mobile DNA to take over their genomes. Organisms need the means to control the spread and activity of mobile DNA. This is the continuous battle that ...
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