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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...

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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Epigenetic interactions between transposons and genes: lessons from plants.

Cliff Weil1, Rob Martienssen

  • 1Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.

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Transposons, mobile genetic elements, use epigenetic regulation to balance replication with host gene preservation. This mechanism allows transposons to persist while minimizing harmful mutations, revealing their complex interactions with host gene expression.

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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Transposons are mobile genetic elements that replicate and increase in copy number.
  • Transposon insertion into host genes can be mutagenic, leading to negative selection.
  • A balance between transposon replication and host integrity is crucial for persistence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of epigenetic regulation in balancing transposon activity and host damage.
  • To understand how epigenetic mechanisms control transposon replication and insertion.
  • To elucidate the impact of transposons on gene expression via epigenetic interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on transposon biology and epigenetics.
  • Analysis of epigenetic mechanisms controlling transposon silencing and activation.
  • Investigation of direct and indirect effects of transposons on host gene expression.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic regulation is a widespread strategy for transposons to achieve host compatibility.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms reversibly control transposon transposition, preventing excessive proliferation.
  • Transposons significantly influence host gene expression through epigenetic modifications.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic regulation is key for transposon survival and host-parasite co-evolution.
  • Understanding these epigenetic interactions provides insights into genome dynamics and gene regulation.
  • Further research into transposon epigenetics will clarify their broad impact on biological systems.