Reader Comments

Post a new comment on this article

Clarification of LINE versus ERV-induced mutations

Posted by DixieMager on 27 May 2009 at 01:19 GMT

Insertions of LINE1s are clearly ongoing because they are known to be responsible for 10–15% of deleterious mutations [26],[27].
http://plosbiology.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pbio.1000112#article1.body1.sec2.sec2.p1

References 26 and 27 actually discuss mouse mutations caused by insertions of endogenous retroviral sequences (ERVs), which are not related to LINEs. The 10-15% figure mentioned here refers to ERV-induced mutations.

No competing interests declared.