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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

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 Transposons02:57

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...
Transposons01:24

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...
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

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.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.

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Related Experiment Video

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Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma
10:58

Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma

Published on: February 22, 2015

Transposable elements and the dynamic somatic genome.

Lara S Collier1, David A Largaespada

  • 1The Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, The Cancer Center, The University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Church St SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. lsc5e@alumni.virginia.edu

Genome Biology
|December 6, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Somatic cell genome alterations from transposable elements impact host organisms. This review explores their significant consequences within somatic cell genomes.

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Published on: August 12, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Somatic cell genome alterations are not heritable but can influence organism health.
  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences found in genomes.
  • The impact of TEs on somatic cells is context-dependent, leading to varied effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the significant consequences of transposable elements in somatic cell genomes.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which TEs affect somatic cells.
  • To highlight the importance of somatic genome integrity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on transposable elements and somatic genomes.
  • Analysis of research on the functional impact of TEs in various tissues.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on TE dynamics in non-germline cells.

Main Results:

  • Transposable elements can induce mutations, alter gene expression, and drive genomic instability in somatic cells.
  • TE activity in somatic cells can contribute to both beneficial adaptations and detrimental conditions, including diseases.
  • The specific effects of TEs are influenced by their location, type, and the cellular environment.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable elements play a crucial role in shaping somatic cell genomes throughout an organism's life.
  • Understanding TE consequences in somatic cells is vital for comprehending organismal development, aging, and disease.
  • Further research into somatic TE dynamics is warranted to explore therapeutic and evolutionary implications.