Although both are salient features of genomes, at first glance ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs) and transposable elements (TEs) are genetic elements with not much in common: whereas rDNAs are mainly viewed as housekeeping genes that uphold all prime genome functions, TEs are generally portrayed as selfish and disruptive. These opposing characteristics are also mirrored in other attributes: organization in tandem (rDNAs) versus organization in a dispersed manner (TEs); evolution in a concerted manner (rDNAs) versus evolution by diversification (TEs); and activity that prolongs genomic stability (rDNAs) versus activity that shortens it (TEs). Re-visiting relevant instances in which rDNA-TE interactions have been reported, we note that both repeat types share at least four structural and functional hallmarks: (1) they are repetitive DNAs that shape genomes in evolutionary timescales; (2) they exchange structural motifs and can enter co-evolution processes; (3) they are tightly controlled genomic stress sensors playing key roles in senescence/aging; and (4) they share common epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation and histone modification. Here, we give an overview of the structural, functional and evolutionary characteristics of both rDNAs and TEs, discuss their roles and interactions, and highlight trends and future directions as we move forward in understanding rDNA-TE associations.

中文翻译：

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核糖体 DNA 和转座元件之间的动态相互作用：基因组学和细胞遗传学的视角

尽管两者都是基因组的显着特征，但乍一看，核糖体 DNA (rDNA) 和转座元件 (TE) 都是遗传元件，没有太多共同点：rDNA 主要被视为维持所有主要基因组功能的看家基因，而 TE 通常被描述为自私且具有破坏性。这些相反的特征也反映在其他属性中：串联组织（rDNA）与分散方式组织（TE）；协同进化（rDNA）与多样化进化（TE）；延长基因组稳定性的活性（rDNA）与缩短基因组稳定性的活性（TE）。重新审视已报道的 rDNA-TE 相互作用的相关实例，我们注意到这两种重复类型至少有四个结构和功能特征：（1）它们是在进化时间尺度上塑造基因组的重复 DNA； （2）它们交换结构基序并可以进入共同进化过程； （3）它们是严格控制的基因组应激传感器，在衰老/老化中发挥关键作用； (4)它们具有共同的表观遗传标记，例如DNA甲基化和组蛋白修饰。在这里，我们概述了 rDNA 和 TE 的结构、功能和进化特征，讨论了它们的作用和相互作用，并重点介绍了我们在理解 rDNA-TE 关联方面的趋势和未来方向。