L1 retrotransposons exploit RNA m6A modification as an evolutionary driving force

Abstract L1 retrotransposons can pose a threat to genome integrity. The host has evolved restrict replication. However, mechanisms underlying propagation out of the surveillance remains unclear. Here, we propose an evolutionary survival strategy L1, which exploits RNA m 6 A modification. We discover that ‘writer’ METTL3 facilitates retrotransposition, whereas ‘eraser’ ALKBH5 suppresses it. essential cluster is located on 5? UTR serves as docking site for eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3), enhances translational efficiency and promotes formation ribonucleoprotein. Furthermore, through comparative analysis human- primate-specific lineages, find most functional motif-containing L1s have been positively selected became distinctive feature evolutionarily young L1s. Thus, our findings demonstrate hijack modification system their successful