Researchers reveal key role of ASD-risk factor POGZ in control of 2C program and retrotransposon elements

A significant portion of mammalian genomes are composed of retrotransposable elements (REs). Unlike the previous hypothesis that these are “junk DNA,” recent studies have shown that REs such as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE1) play essential roles in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and during embryogenesis.