POGK is a domesticated KRAB domain-containing transposable element with tumor suppressive functions in breast cancer

Karen M Mann

doi:10.1016/j.tcb.2024.11.002

POGK is a domesticated KRAB domain-containing transposable element with tumor suppressive functions in breast cancer

Trends Cell Biol. 2025 Jan;35(1):4-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.11.002. Epub 2024 Nov 14.

Author

Karen M Mann¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39547880
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.11.002

Abstract

Transposable elements (TEs) account for 50% of the human genome and have essential functions as gene promoters. A subset of TEs is expressed in normal cells and differentially expressed in cancers, yet their biological significance is understudied. In a recent article, Tu et al. describe the tumor suppressive function of POGK, an expressed TE with a KRAB domain, and its cooperation with TRIM28 to repress ribosomal gene transcription in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms / genetics
Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
Breast Neoplasms / pathology
DNA Transposable Elements* / genetics
Female
Humans
Repressor Proteins / genetics
Repressor Proteins / metabolism
Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 28 / genetics
Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 28 / metabolism
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

DNA Transposable Elements
Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 28
Repressor Proteins
TRIM28 protein, human