Study reveals essential role of selfish DNA in early human embryo development

A new study from Sinai Health reveals that LINE-1 transposons, previously seen as harmful, are essential for early human embryo development. These "selfish DNA" segments make up about 20% of the human genome and play a crucial role in gene regulation. Researchers found that blocking LINE-1 activity in embryonic stem cells caused them to revert to an earlier developmental stage. This indicates that LINE-1 is vital for the formation of specialized cells necessary for embryo progression. The study also highlights LINE-1's role in organizing DNA within the nucleus, particularly during the 8-cell stage. These insights may influence fertility treatments and enhance understanding of neurological disorders and cancer.