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LTR Retrotransposons

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 Retrotransposons

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...

Retroviruses

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’...

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...

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...

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

Eukaryote DIRS1-like retrotransposons: an overview.

Mathieu Piednoël¹, Isabelle R Gonçalves, Dominique Higuet

¹UMR 7138 Systématique Adaptation Evolution, Equipe Génétique et Evolution, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris 6, Case 5, Bâtiment A, porte 427, 7 quai St Bernard, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France. piednoel@closun.snv.jussieu.fr

|December 22, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

DIRS1-like retrotransposons are widespread across eukaryotes, challenging previous assumptions of their limited distribution. These mobile genetic elements likely emerged early in eukaryotic evolution, with significant transpositions observed in some species.

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Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

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

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

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Published on: July 27, 2019

Area of Science:

Genomics
Molecular Evolution
Bioinformatics

Background:

DIRS1-like elements are tyrosine recombinase-encoding retrotransposons with a previously known patchy distribution.
Their origin and evolutionary dynamics remain largely unknown.
Recent findings indicate their prevalence in decapods, prompting a re-evaluation of their eukaryotic distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

To comprehensively assess the distribution of DIRS1-like retrotransposons across eukaryotic genomes.
To investigate the evolutionary history and potential early emergence of these elements.

Main Methods:

Development of a novel computational tool, ReDoSt, for identifying conserved DIRS1-like elements.
Screening of 274 completely sequenced eukaryotic genomes.

Main Results:

Identification of over 4000 DIRS1-like copies across 30 diverse species, clustered into approximately 300 families.
Discovery of 14 new species and 8 new higher taxa harboring these retrotransposons.
Evidence of significant transposition bursts in species like Danio rerio and Saccoglossus kowalevskii.

Conclusions:

DIRS1-like retrotransposons are widely distributed in eukaryotes, found in 61 species and notably absent only in streptophytes and mammals.
These elements are prevalent across diverse unikont taxa, from Cnidaria to Sauropsida.
The distribution and phylogenetic patterns suggest DIRS1-like retrotransposons emerged early in eukaryotic evolution.