Correction in Research: The Role of LINE-1 in Lung Cancer
Corrections made to lung cancer study published in Nature journal.
1Significance of the Study
This study published in Nature investigates the role of LINE-1 retrotransposons in the evolution of lung adenocarcinoma. The original article published on December 10, 2025, contained incorrect claims about ZNF695 protein regulating LINE-1 activity. These claims were corrected due to lack of experimental evidence. The research was conducted by an international team and provides significant contributions to the field of cancer genomics.
2Correction Details
Statements implying direct regulation of LINE-1 activity by ZNF695/KRAB-ZFP were revised in the article. These statements were rephrased as correlational associations. Extended Data Fig. 10 and Supplementary Fig. 36 along with related text were completely removed. An incorrect statement based on KRABopedia data was deleted from the Methods section, and the term 'ZNF695 target genes' was replaced with 'ZNF695 protein interactors'. The original article is provided as supplementary information alongside the correction.
3Research Scope
The study was conducted in collaboration with over 30 institutions worldwide, led by the National Cancer Institute in the US. Prestigious institutions like Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of California San Diego, and Spanish National Cancer Research Center participated. The research focused on molecular mechanisms of lung cancer, with detailed examination of LINE-1 retrotransposons' role in cancer development.
4Impact of Corrections
The corrections don't affect the study's primary genomic analyses or main conclusions. However, they ensure more rigorous language in methodological approaches. This highlights the importance of transparency in scientific publications. The corrections enhance the research's credibility while setting an example for other studies in cancer genomics. Nature journal supports scientific integrity by publishing such corrections.
5Research Team
The study involved contributions from over 40 researchers including Tongwu Zhang and Wei Zhao. The team comprised experts from the US, UK, Spain, Italy, Canada, and China. Pathologists and epidemiologists from leading institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mayo Clinic participated. International collaboration expanded the study's scope and improved result reliability.
6Technical Corrections
All references to dominant-negative effects were removed during the correction process. Methods used in data analysis were more clearly defined. Supplementary information was made available online. These corrections enhance the paper's scientific rigor while allowing readers to compare original and revised versions. Nature manages this process transparently to contribute to scientific communication.
7Cancer Genomics Field
This study represents an important step in understanding molecular foundations of lung cancer. It provides new information about retrotransposons' role in cancer development. With contributions from organizations like International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the research advances cancer genomic mapping. Findings may inform future treatment strategies and show potential for improving early diagnosis methods.
8Transparency in Scientific Publishing
Nature's publication of this correction emphasizes transparency in scientific publishing. Researchers contribute to the scientific process by acknowledging and correcting errors. This approach sets an example for other researchers. Methodological rigor in cancer research is crucial for reliable results. This correction represents an important step in maintaining scientific integrity.
Original article: Nature — Araştırmada Düzeltme: Akciğer Kanserinde LINE-1'in Rolü