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Transposons

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...

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...

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...

Mechanism of Conjugation

Mechanism of Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...

Transduction

Transduction

Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome are...

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Recombinant DNA technology called transgenesis is often used to add a foreign gene or remove a detrimental gene from an organism. Such genetically modified organisms are called transgenic organisms.
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing

Published on: July 7, 2020

Chromosomal complementation using Tn7 transposon vectors in Enterobacteriaceae.

Sébastien Crépin¹, Josée Harel, Charles M Dozois

¹INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec, Canada.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

|June 19, 2012

Summary

Researchers developed a versatile mini-Tn7 system for stable, single-copy gene integration in enterobacteria. This tool aids bacterial genetics research and biotechnology applications by enabling efficient gene insertion without selective pressure.

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Published on: September 23, 2017

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Bacterial Genetics

Background:

Genetic complementation in bacteria often relies on plasmids, which can be unstable.
Chromosomal integration systems offer stable, single-copy gene insertion without requiring selective pressure.
Existing Tn7 transposon systems have limitations in their effectiveness across diverse enterobacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a versatile mini-Tn7 system for stable, single-copy chromosomal integration in enterobacteria.
To provide a reliable tool for genetic complementation and gene manipulation in various pathogenic enterobacterial species.

Main Methods:

Development of novel mini-Tn7 and transposase vectors.
Utilized a conjugation approach for Tn7 transposition to the attTn7 chromosomal site.
Tested the system's efficiency in five different pathogenic enterobacterial species.

Main Results:

The developed mini-Tn7 system demonstrated efficient transposition and stable single-copy integration.
The system proved effective across five distinct pathogenic enterobacterial species.
Successful application of the system for genetic complementation and potential gene introduction.

Conclusions:

The novel mini-Tn7 system offers a versatile and efficient tool for single-copy gene complementation in enterobacteria.
This system is valuable for research in bacterial genetics, microbial pathogenesis, and biotechnology.
The vectors can be applied to gene expression, gene fusions, vaccine development, and other genetic engineering applications.