The potential role of the mobile and non-coding genomes in adaptive response

The tightly regulated feedback loops linking small RNAs (sRNAs) and transposable elements (TEs) offer the opportunity for an adaptive response to changing environments at the molecular level. Environmentally induced changes in TE and sRNA profiles may affect expression of coding genes and trigger an organismic and transgenerational response. Understanding this link may provide a mechanistic explanation for how species can adapt to changing climates and may offer novel molecular targets for biomedical and agricultural applications.