Transposable elements are endogenous DNA sequences able to integrate into and multiply within genomes. They constitute a major source of genetic innovations, as they can not only rearrange genomes but also spread ready-to-use regulatory sequences able to modify host gene expression, and even can give birth to new host genes. As their evolutionary success depends on their vertical transmission, transposable elements are intrinsically linked to reproduction. In organisms with sexual reproduction, this implies that transposable elements have to manifest their transpositional activity in germ cells or their progenitors. The control of sexual development and function can be very versatile, and several studies have demonstrated the implication of transposable elements in the evolution of sex. In this review, we report the functional and evolutionary relationships between transposable elements and sexual reproduction in animals. In particular, we highlight how transposable elements can influence expression of sexual development genes, and how, reciprocally, they are tightly controlled in gonads. We also review how transposable elements contribute to the organization, expression and evolution of sexual development genes and sex chromosomes. This underscores the intricate co-evolution between host functions and transposable elements, which regularly shift from a parasitic to a domesticated status useful to the host.

中文翻译：

---

性与 TE：动物性发育和功能中的转座因子。

转座元件是能够整合到基因组中并在基因组内繁殖的内源DNA序列。它们构成了遗传创新的主要来源，因为它们不仅可以重新排列基因组，还可以传播能够修改宿主基因表达的现成调控序列，甚至可以产生新的宿主基因。由于它们的进化成功取决于它们的垂直传播，因此转座因子与繁殖有着内在的联系。在有性生殖的生物体中，这意味着转座因子必须在生殖细胞或其祖细胞中表现出其转座活性。性发育和功能的控制可以是非常广泛的，一些研究已经证明了转座因子在性进化中的影响。在这篇综述中，我们报告了转座因子与动物有性生殖之间的功能和进化关系。我们特别强调转座因子如何影响性发育基因的表达，以及它们如何在性腺中相互受到严格控制。我们还回顾了转座因子如何促进性发育基因和性染色体的组织、表达和进化。这强调了宿主功能和转座元件之间复杂的共同进化，转座元件经常从寄生状态转变为对宿主有用的驯化状态。