Fish transposons and their potential use in aquaculture

A large part of repetitive DNA of vertebrate genomes have been identified as transposon elements (TEs) or mobile sequences. Although TEs detected to date in most vertebrates are inactivated, active TEs have been found in fish and a salmonid TE has been successfully reactivated by molecular genetic manipulation from inactive genomic copies (Sleeping Beauty, SB). Progress in the understanding of the dynamics, control and evolution of fish TEs will allow the insertion of selected sequences into the fish genomes of germ cells to obtain transgenics or to identify genes important for growth and/or of somatic cells to improve DNA vaccination. Expectations are high for new possible applications to fish of this well developed technology for mammals. Here, we review the present state of knowledge of inactive and active fish TEs and briefly discuss how their possible future applications might be used to improve fish production in aquaculture.