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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...
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...
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...
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation02:53

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

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.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...

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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
04:04

Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity

Published on: January 20, 2023

Transposable elements: powerful facilitators of evolution.

Keith R Oliver1, Wayne K Greene

  • 1School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sustainability, Environmental and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia. k.oliver@murdoch.edu.au

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|May 6, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transposable elements (TEs) drive genome evolution and phenotypic diversity by introducing genetic changes. Their presence promotes adaptability and diversification, supporting evolutionary theories like punctuated equilibrium.

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Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences present in most genomes.
  • TEs are ancient and ubiquitous, playing significant roles in genome structure and evolution.
  • While sometimes detrimental to individuals, TEs can be highly advantageous for species' long-term adaptability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize the multifaceted roles of TEs in genome evolution.
  • To explore how TEs contribute to phenotypic diversity and evolutionary potential.
  • To propose a holistic view of TEs as facilitators of genomic flexibility.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing data on TEs and genome evolution.
  • Analysis of the impact of active and inactive TEs on genomic dynamics.
  • Comparison of TE-rich and TE-deficient taxa regarding adaptability and diversification.

Main Results:

  • TEs actively and passively reshape genomes through various mechanisms, including ectopic recombination.
  • Genomes with active TEs or homogeneous inactive TEs exhibit greater fecundity and adaptability.
  • Taxa lacking TEs or with heterogeneous inactive TEs may face stasis and extinction risks.
  • Recurring TE activity aligns with the theory of punctuated equilibrium in the fossil record.

Conclusions:

  • TEs are crucial drivers of genome evolution, enhancing adaptability and diversification.
  • Genomic flexibility, facilitated by TEs, is essential for long-term evolutionary success.
  • The dynamic interplay between TEs and genomes supports evolutionary change and speciation.