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Related Concept Videos

Transgenic Organisms00:53

Transgenic Organisms

Overview
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
Transgenic Plants02:50

Transgenic Plants

Recombinant DNA technology called transgenesis is often used to add a foreign gene or remove a detrimental gene from an organism. Such genetically modified organisms are called transgenic organisms.
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred irrespective...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry
09:41

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 28, 2021

Sperm-mediated gene transfer: mechanisms and implications.

Corrado Spadafora1

  • 1Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. cspadaf@tin.it

Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement
|July 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Sperm can transfer genetic material, including exogenous DNA, to embryos. This sperm-mediated gene transfer is a retrotransposon-driven process, offering a novel genetic information source.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Animal Transgenesis

Background:

  • Spermatozoa can carry genetic material, including exogenous DNA, suggesting potential for animal transgenesis.
  • Existing sperm-mediated gene transfer protocols show highly variable success rates.
  • The precise mechanisms of sperm-DNA interaction remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing sperm-mediated gene transfer.
  • To improve protocols for animal transgenesis using sperm as vectors.
  • To challenge the view of spermatozoa as metabolically inert cells.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating sperm-DNA interactions at a molecular level.
  • Identifying specific factors and enzymatic activities involved in DNA binding and internalization.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry
09:41

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 28, 2021

In Vivo Microinjection and Electroporation of Mouse Testis
08:39

In Vivo Microinjection and Electroporation of Mouse Testis

Published on: August 23, 2014

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection
08:41

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection

Published on: January 26, 2024

  • Analyzing the characteristics of reverse-transcribed molecules within embryos.

    • Main Results:

    • Sperm-DNA binding and nuclear internalization are regulated processes, not random events.
    • Mature spermatozoa possess repressed enzymatic functions, including reverse transcriptase activity from endogenous retrotransposons.
    • This activity can reverse transcribe exogenous RNA into cDNA, which is then transferred to embryos.
    • The resulting genetic material propagates as extrachromosomal structures, induces phenotypic variations, and is transmitted non-Mendelianly.

    Conclusions:

    • Sperm-mediated gene transfer is fundamentally a retrotransposon-mediated phenomenon.
    • The sperm's endogenous retrotransposon machinery represents a novel source of genetic information.
    • These findings offer new avenues for improving transgenesis and understanding genetic inheritance.