Global analysis of gene expression changes following LINE1 inhibition [I]. Mus musculus

Transposable elements make up nearly half of mammalian genomes, yet are generally described as ‘junk DNA’ or genome parasites. The LINE1 retrotransposon is the most abundant class and is thought to be deleterious for cells, but it is paradoxically expressed at high levels during early development. Here, we report that LINE1 plays essential roles in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and pre-implantation embryos. In ES cells, LINE1 acts as a nuclear RNA scaffold that recruits Nucleolin and Kap1/Trim28 to repress Dux, the master activator of a gene expression program specific to the 2-cell stage. In parallel, LINE1 RNA mediates binding of Nucleolin and Kap1 to rDNA, thereby promoting rRNA synthesis and ES cell self-renewal. In embryos, LINE1 RNA is required for silencing of Dux, proper synthesis of rRNA and exit from the 2-cell stage. These results reveal an essential partnership between nuclear LINE1 RNA and chromatin factors in the regulation of transcription, developmental potency and ES cell self-renewal. Overall design: 3 replicates each of E14 ES cells two days after nucleofection with Lissaminated ASOs - RC (control) or LINE1, purified according to Lissamine+ using flow cytometry then lysed for RNA extraction and library generation (6 samples total)