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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...
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...
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...
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...
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
10:28

Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)

Published on: May 5, 2023

Male germline control of transposable elements.

Jianqiang Bao1, Wei Yan

  • 1Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA.

Biology of Reproduction
|February 24, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Eukaryotic genomes use defense mechanisms to silence transposable elements, particularly in the male germline. This prevents heritable mutations and genetic disorders caused by uncontrolled retrotransposon activity.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Repetitive elements, especially transposable elements (TEs), form a significant portion of eukaryotic genomes.
  • TEs exhibit inter- and intra-species variation, driving evolutionary diversity but also causing genetic disorders through insertional mutagenesis.
  • A critical period of relaxed epigenetic control in early germline development allows TEs to proliferate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the defense mechanisms employed by eukaryotic genomes against transposable elements.
  • To emphasize the specific pathways used by the male germline for retrotransposon silencing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genomic defense mechanisms.
  • Focus on epigenetic regulation and germline-specific pathways.

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

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Analysis of Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance in C. elegans Using a Fluorescent Reporter and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
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Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma
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  • Analysis of retrotransposon silencing strategies.

    • Main Results:

    • Eukaryotes possess sophisticated defense systems to control TEs.
    • The male germline utilizes specific pathways to maintain retrotransposon silencing.
    • Epigenetic modifications are crucial for suppressing TE propagation.

    Conclusions:

    • Genome integrity is maintained through active silencing of transposable elements.
    • The male germline plays a vital role in preventing heritable mutations from TEs.
    • Understanding these defense mechanisms is key to comprehending genome stability and evolution.