Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
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...
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Recent advances in omics-driven research of photosynthetic microorganisms in green biotechnology.

Critical reviews in microbiology·2026
Same author

Integration of Bulk and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analyses in Biomedicine.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Molecular Context of ADAR-Mediated Editing of Coding RNA in Colorectal and Lung Cancers.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Insertional activity of human Alu and L1 retrotransposons is associated with DNA repair pathways and genome instability in cancer.

Computers in biology and medicine·2026
Same author

Accurate <i>RET</i> Fusion Detection in Solid Tumors Using RNA Sequencing Coverage Imbalance Analysis.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Regulatory Mechanisms and Functional Roles of Readthrough Transcripts in Tumorigenesis.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
11:52

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

Retroelements and their impact on genome evolution and functioning.

Elena Gogvadze1, Anton Buzdin

  • 1Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya st, 117997 Moscow, Russia. e.gogvadze@gmail.com

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|August 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Retroelements, once dismissed as "junk DNA," are key drivers of genome evolution and adaptation. These mobile genetic elements significantly influence gene structure and function, promoting genetic innovation across diverse organisms.

More Related Videos

RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level
11:04

RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level

Published on: May 19, 2019

Detection of Retrotransposition Activity of Hot LINE-1s by Long-Distance Inverse PCR
10:54

Detection of Retrotransposition Activity of Hot LINE-1s by Long-Distance Inverse PCR

Published on: July 27, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
11:52

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level
11:04

RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level

Published on: May 19, 2019

Detection of Retrotransposition Activity of Hot LINE-1s by Long-Distance Inverse PCR
10:54

Detection of Retrotransposition Activity of Hot LINE-1s by Long-Distance Inverse PCR

Published on: July 27, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Retroelements constitute a significant portion of eukaryotic genomes.
  • Initially viewed as genomic parasites, their role has been re-evaluated.
  • Discovered by Barbara McClintock, retroelements are found in nearly all organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of retroelements in genome evolution.
  • To summarize mechanisms by which retroelements influence gene structure and function.
  • To outline cellular strategies for controlling retrotransposition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on retroelements.
  • Analysis of studies detailing retroelement impact on genome structure and function.
  • Synthesis of findings on retroelement-induced genetic innovations and adaptations.

Main Results:

  • Retroelements actively contribute to genome evolution and adaptation.
  • They are implicated in structural and functional changes in genes and genomes.
  • Cellular mechanisms exist to regulate retroelement activity.

Conclusions:

  • Retroelements are crucial evolutionary forces, not mere 'junk DNA'.
  • Understanding retroelement dynamics is vital for comprehending genome evolution and organismal adaptation.
  • Further research into retroelement-host interactions and regulatory mechanisms is warranted.