KTED: a comprehensive web-based database for transposable elements in the Korean genome

Abstract

Transposable elements (TEs), commonly referred to as "mobile elements," constitute DNA segments capable of relocating within a genome. Initially disregarded as "junk DNA" devoid of specific functionality, it has become evident that TEs have diverse influences on an organism's biology and health. The impact of these elements varies according to their location, classification, and their effects on specific genes or regulatory components. Despite their significant roles, a paucity of resources concerning TEs in population-scale genome sequencing remains. Herein, we analyze whole-genome sequencing data sourced from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, encompassing 2500 Korean individuals. To facilitate convenient data access and observation, we developed a web-based database, KTED. Additionally, we scrutinized the differential distributions of TEs across five distinct common disease groups: dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, and cancer.