Soma to germline inheritance of extrachromosomal genetic information via a LINE-1 reverse transcriptase-based mechanism

Mature spermatozoa are permeable to foreign DNA and RNA molecules. Here I propose a model, whereby extrachromosomal genetic information, mostly encoded in the form of RNA in somatic cells, can cross the Weismann barrier and reach epididymal spermatozoa. LINE-1 retrotransposon-derived reverse transcriptase (RT) can play key roles in the process by expanding the RNA-encoded information. Retrotransposon-encoded RT is stored in mature gametes, is highly expressed in early embryos and undifferentiated cells, and becomes downregulated in differentiated cells. In turn, RT plays a role in developmental control, as its inhibition arrests developmental progression of early embryos with globally altered transcriptomic profiles. Thus, sperm cells act as recipients, and transgenerational vectors of somatically-derived genetic information which they pass to the next generation with the potential to modify the fate of the developing embryos.