Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
13:10
Use of Alu Element Containing Minigenes to Analyze Circular RNAs
Published on: March 10, 2020
7.7K
Retrotransposition of Alu elements: how many sources?
Richard Cordaux1, Dale J Hedges, Mark A Batzer
1Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Computation and Visualization Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|September 15, 2004
Summary
Recently integrated human-specific Alu elements reveal multiple active sources, challenging the
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Alu elements are abundant repetitive DNA sequences in the human genome.
- Previous understanding suggested limited 'master' Alu elements drive retrotransposition, producing mostly inactive copies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the number and contribution of active source elements for recently integrated human-specific Alu subfamilies.
- To re-evaluate the amplification strategy of the Alu family.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a network phylogenetic approach.
- Analyzed recently integrated human-specific Alu subfamilies.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that 10-20% of secondary source elements contribute to recently integrated Alu subfamilies.
- Showed these multiple sources account for 20-40% of all subfamily members.
Conclusions:
- Challenges the notion of a few 'master' Alu sources.
- Highlights the significance of multiple active source elements in Alu amplification.
- Provides new insights into the evolutionary success of the Alu family.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Elements and Compounds
103.4K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
103.4K
04:00Periodic Classification of the Elements
58.8K
The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...
58.8K
02:54Classification of Elements and Compounds
72.9K
Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond. Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units.
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...
72.9K
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
24.1K
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
24.1K
02:31Elements: Chemical Symbols and Isotopes
125.4K
A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
Some symbols are derived from the common English name of the element; others are abbreviations of the name in another language — Latin, Greek or German. For example, the symbol for aluminum (common name)...
125.4K
00:57The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
200.9K
Overview
200.9K