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Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...

Transposons

Transposons

Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...

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LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
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Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

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Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Manipulation and In Vitro Maturation of Xenopus laevis Oocytes, Followed by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, to Study Embryonic Development

Manipulation and In Vitro Maturation of Xenopus laevis Oocytes, Followed by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, to Study Embryonic Development

Published on: February 9, 2015

Manipulating the Xenopus genome with transposable elements.

Donald A Yergeau¹, Paul E Mead

¹Department of Pathology, St, Jude Children's Research Hospital, North Lauderdale Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.

|December 6, 2007

Summary

Xenopus tropicalis offers a powerful new model for amphibian development research. Its diploid genome and short generation time, combined with transposable elements, enable efficient genetic manipulation and large-scale mutagenesis screens.

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Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Manipulation and In Vitro Maturation of Xenopus laevis Oocytes, Followed by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, to Study Embryonic Development

Manipulation and In Vitro Maturation of Xenopus laevis Oocytes, Followed by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, to Study Embryonic Development

Published on: February 9, 2015

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Published on: August 21, 2010

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Genetics
Amphibian Research

Background:

Xenopus laevis has been a key model for vertebrate development.
Genetic studies in X. laevis are limited by its tetraploid genome and long generation time.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce Xenopus tropicalis as a superior model for amphibian developmental studies.
To highlight the utility of transposable elements for genetic manipulation in X. tropicalis.

Main Methods:

Leveraging the diploid genome and short generation time of X. tropicalis.
Utilizing transposable elements for transgenesis and insertional mutagenesis.

Main Results:

X. tropicalis provides a practical alternative to X. laevis for genetic studies.
Transposable elements are effective tools for frog genome manipulation.
The system supports large-scale insertional mutagenesis screens.

Conclusions:

Xenopus tropicalis is a highly advantageous model organism for amphibian embryogenesis research.
Transposon-based strategies facilitate efficient genetic manipulation and large-scale mutagenesis in frogs.