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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

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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...
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DNA-only Transposons02:57

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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...
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LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

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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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Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

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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...
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Transposons01:24

Transposons

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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...
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Horizontal Gene Transfer

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Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
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Human transposon tectonics.

Kathleen H Burns1, Jef D Boeke

  • 1Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. kburns@jhmi.edu

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|May 15, 2012
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mobile DNA elements called retrotransposons can move and create new insertions, potentially causing disease. New technologies help detect these dynamic changes, revealing their impact on human genome variation and health.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Human Genetics

Background:

  • Mobile DNA, particularly retrotransposons, constitutes over half of the human genome.
  • Most retrotransposons are inactive, but some retain the ability to transpose.
  • Retrotransposon activity can lead to genetic diseases and cancer through de novo insertions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of mobile DNA in shaping the human genome.
  • To explore the dynamic nature of retrotransposon insertions and their contribution to structural variation.
  • To highlight the challenges and advancements in detecting de novo retrotransposon insertions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized new technologies for detecting polymorphic insertions.
  • Analyzed interspersed repeats resulting from retrotransposon activity.
  • Investigated de novo insertion events.

Main Results:

  • Mobile DNAs are a substantial source of dynamic structural variation.
  • New transposition events can occur, challenging previous notions of retrotransposon quiescence.
  • Advancements in detection technologies are improving our ability to identify these mobile elements.

Conclusions:

  • Retrotransposons remain an active force in genome evolution and variation.
  • Understanding de novo insertions is crucial for diagnosing genetic diseases and cancer.
  • Further research is needed to quantify the impact of transposition on human health.