Trim24 and Trim33 are co-repressor complexes that suppress hepatocarcinogenesis. A new study now uncovers a function for Trim24 and Trim33 as repressors of VL30-type endogenous retroviruses in the liver. When derepressed, VL30 long terminal repeats (LTRs) function as promoter and enhancer elements deregulating expression of neighboring genes and generating noncoding enhancer RNAs that are required for LTR enhancer activity in hepatocytes.
- Benjamin Herquel
- Khalid Ouararhni
- Irwin Davidson