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'Mobile' DNA elements may have expanded gene regulatory networks in brain development

Phys · · 731 words · By Kindai University

Researchers from Kindai University have studied how transposable elements (TEs) contribute to gene regulation during the differentiation of stem cells into neuronal cells. The study suggests that these 'mobile' DNA elements expanded regulatory networks during primate evolution, potentially influencing brain development.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-mobile-dna-elements-gene-regulatory.html

analyticsAnalysis

10%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

9 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 3
verified Verified 2
check_circle Corroborated 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
verified
“TEs make up 30−50% of the mammalian genome”
VERIFIED
One web search result explicitly states that TEs 'comprise almost 50% of mammalian genomic sequence', which aligns with the 30-50% range provided in the claim.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A transposable element (TE), also known as transposons, jumping gene, or mobile genetic element, are DNA sequences that can change their position, or translocate, within a genome. TEs were first ident…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transposable_element
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In linear algebra, transposition is an operation that flips a matrix over its diagonal; that is, transposition switches the row and column indices of the matrix A to produce another matrix, called the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpose
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Transposition may refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transposition
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“Dr. Hidenori Nishihara, an Associate Professor at the Department of Advanced Bioscience, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Kindai University, Japan, along with Mr. Atsushi Komiya from the same department, explored the contribution of TEs during the differentiation of stem cells into neuronal cells.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the study's existence and topic are confirmed in other results, the specific names and affiliations of Dr. Hidenori Nishihara and Mr. Atsushi Komiya are only mentioned in the context of the paper's publication details in one search result; the other results for this claim are irrelevant Apple support pages.
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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 30, 2024 · Apple may provide or recommend responses as a possible solution based on the information provided; every potential issue may involve several factors not detailed in the conversations ca…
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255554428
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jul 31, 2024 · Managed to get this fixed - the only solution is abandoning the locked/disabled account and re-registering the device with new/different apple id. This required resetting the device by …
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255701760
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web search NEUTRAL — Jul 18, 2023 · Apple account login How can I be able to login to my apple account using my Apple ID without having iTunes or other apple applications being installed on my pc?
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255006655
check_circle
“This study was published in the journal Genome Biology.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web sources confirm the study was published in the journal Genome Biology.
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web search NEUTRAL — Regulatory Expansion: The study identified over 20,000 TE-derived binding sites for Sox2 and Brn2, two proteins essential for turning stem cells into neurons.This study was published in Volume 27, art…
https://neurosciencenews.com/brain-evolution-gene-regulation…
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web search NEUTRAL — This study was published in the journal Genome Biology.Publication details. Hidenori Nishihara et al, Transposable element–mediated evolutionary expansion of Sox2- and Brn2-binding regulatory modules …
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-mobile-dna-elements-gene-regul…
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web search NEUTRAL — ...breeding: current status and recent advancements in genomic selection and.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13102818.2017.1…
info
“the researchers used publicly available genomic data and analyzed human TEs bound by the two transcription factors, Sox2 and Brn2, that are critical for neuronal development.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of general articles about TEs and other studies, but does not specifically confirm the methodology regarding the use of public genomic data for Sox2 and Brn2 in this specific study.
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web search NEUTRAL — Transposable elements: targets for early nutritional effects on epigenetic...
https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/tmcb20
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web search NEUTRAL — Uncover the latest and most impactful research in DNA transposable elements. Explore pioneering discoveries, insightful ideas and new methods from leading researchers in the field.
https://link.springer.com/subjects/dna-transposable-elements
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web search NEUTRAL — This study utilizes bioinformatic analyses to compare the binding profiles of transcription factors Oct4 and NANOG in hESCs and mouse ESCs. Results indicate that numerous binding sites are associated …
https://www.academia.edu/4680468/Transposable_elements_have_…
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“The study identified more than 20,000 TE-derived binding sites for Sox2 and Brn2, including endogenous retroviruses that expanded during primate evolution.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (Neuroscience News and other web results) explicitly state that the study identified over 20,000 TE-derived binding sites for Sox2 and Brn2.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A cerebral organoid describes an artificially grown, in vitro, tissue resembling parts of the human brain. Neural organoids are created by culturing pluripotent stem cells into a three-dimensional cul…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_organoid
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Epigenetics is the study of heritable characteristics that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence, such as chemical modifications to DNA or histone proteins. This article explores the ways in whic…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetic_regulation_of_neuro…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, is the process in which one mature somatic cell is transformed into another mature somatic cell without undergoing an intermediate pluripoten…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transdifferentiation
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
“specific TE families such as MER51 and MER49 carry binding motifs for Sox2 and Brn2, respectively”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for this claim are completely irrelevant, discussing 'TE Connectivity' (an electronics company) rather than transposable elements in genomics.
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web search NEUTRAL — TE Connectivity plc[2] is an American-Irish domiciled technology company that designs and manufactures electrical and electronic components. It serves several industries, including automotive, aerospa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TE_Connectivity
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web search NEUTRAL — TE is a trusted manufacturer and supplier of reliable and rugged electronic components. Known worldwide for its broad portfolio of optimally engineered connectors and sensors, TE enables engineers to …
https://www.te.com/en/home.html
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web search NEUTRAL — TE designs and manufactures one of the broadest portfolios of electronic components parts and electrical parts that are engineered for reliable connectivity and robust sensing.
https://www.te.com/en/products/index.html
verified
“at least 24 TE families contributed to the genome-wide spread of Sox2 and Brn2 binding sites”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence discusses the general role of TEs in brain development and Sox2/Brn2 binding, but does not mention the specific number '24 TE families'.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — A cerebral organoid describes an artificially grown, in vitro, tissue resembling parts of the human brain. Neural organoids are created by culturing pluripotent stem cells into a three-dimensional cul…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_organoid
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Epigenetics is the study of heritable characteristics that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence, such as chemical modifications to DNA or histone proteins. This article explores the ways in whic…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetic_regulation_of_neuro…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A transposable element, also known as transposons, jumping gene, or mobile genetic element, are DNA sequences that can change their position, or translocate, within a genome.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transposable_element
+ 2 more evidence sources
verified
“a subset of Sox2- and Brn2-binding sites located outside of TEs can be traced back to early vertebrates, including reptiles and fishes”
VERIFIED
A specific search result for the study title 'Transposable element–mediated evolutionary expansion of...' explicitly states that orthologs of non-TE binding sites could be traced back to reptiles and fishes.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Transposable elements (TEs) have contributed to the expansion of gene regulatory networks during brain development by providing new binding sites for key transcription factors such as Sox2 and Brn2.
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-mobile-dna-elements-gene-regul…
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web search NEUTRAL — Two-wave expansion of TEs bound by Sox2 and Brn2.Orthologs of non-TE binding sites could be traced back to reptiles and fishes, suggests that the core regulatory framework for neuronal differentiation…
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13059-026-04050-w
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web search NEUTRAL — Transposons and jumping genes - This lecture explains about the transposable elements in eukaryotes and IS elements in prokaryotes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErzQijx0ds
help
“The subsequent spread of TEs across the genome appears to have expanded Sox2- and Brn2-binding cis-regulatory elements during primate evolution, yielding over 3,000 Sox2-binding and 500 Brn2-binding sites in NPCs.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found for this claim in the provided search results.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.