Figure 8
From: Alu elements shape the primate transcriptome by cis-regulation of RNA editing
A model for human- or primate-specific adenosine to inosine editing induced by Alu inverted repeats. (1) All metazoans have a basic low level of RNA editing in their transcriptome of 1% to 2%. (2) Alu elements have been integrated into the primate genome. Pairs of adjacent Alus with inverted orientation, form long and stable duplexes in transcripts, which act as recruitment elements for the ADAR enzymes. (3) A high ADAR concentration at the inverted Alus gives high editing efficiency at single sites in nearby short hairpins.