TRIM28 and the control of transposable elements in the brain

TRIM28 is an epigenetic co-prepressor protein that mediates transcriptional silencing. TRIM28 participates, together with the large family of Kruppel-associated box domain zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFP) transcription factors, in the repression of transposable elements (TE). Recent advances indicate that TRIM28-based repression of TEs occurs in the mammalian brain and may provide beneficial effects through the regulation of transcriptional networks. Here, we provide an overview of TRIM28-related functions, highlighting the role of controlling TEs in neural progenitor cells and discuss how this mechanism may have contributed to the evolution of the complex human brain. Finally, we outline future considerations for the field. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.