PNMA-family genes are gag-like elements of ancient retrotransposon origin whose roles in mammalian genomes is incompletely understood. Wood et al. found that two retrotransposon-derived proteins, PNMA1 and PNMA4, support mammalian fertility in both sexes and become increasingly important during aging. These proteins assemble into capsid-like structures that contain RNA and exit human cells.
- Thomas W. P. Wood
- William S. Henriques
- Luke E. Berchowitz
