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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
Published on: January 20, 2023
Which transposable elements are active in the human genome?
Ryan E Mills1, E Andrew Bennett, Rebecca C Iskow
1Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Abstract:
Although a large proportion (44%) of the human genome is occupied by transposons and transposon-like repetitive elements, only a small proportion (<0.05%) of these elements remain active today. Recent evidence indicates that approximately 35-40 subfamilies of Alu, L1 and SVA elements (and possibly HERV-K elements) remain actively mobile in the human genome. These active transposons are of great interest because they continue to produce genetic diversity in human populations and also cause human diseases by integrating into genes. In this review, we examine these active human transposons and explore mechanistic factors that influence their mobilization.
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