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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
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...

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Updated: May 20, 2026

Quantitative Comparison of cis-Regulatory Element (CRE) Activities in Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster
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Published on: December 19, 2011

Drosophila telomeres: an example of co-evolution with transposable elements.

R Silva-Sousa1, E López-Panadѐs, E Casacuberta

  • 1Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Barcelona, Spain.

Genome Dynamics
|July 5, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Drosophila telomeres use a unique mechanism involving retrotransposons (HeT-A, TART, TAHRE) instead of telomerase. This co-evolution highlights how alternative strategies maintain chromosome ends.

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Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Quantitative Comparison of cis-Regulatory Element (CRE) Activities in Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster
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Quantitative Comparison of cis-Regulatory Element (CRE) Activities in Transgenic Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: December 19, 2011

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Recombineering Homologous Recombination Constructs in Drosophila
14:23

Recombineering Homologous Recombination Constructs in Drosophila

Published on: July 13, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Telomeres protect eukaryotic chromosome ends.
  • Telomerase is the conserved enzyme maintaining telomeres in most eukaryotes.
  • Drosophila insects exhibit an alternative telomere maintenance mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the key aspects of Drosophila telomeres and their associated retrotransposons.
  • To explain the regulation, evolution, and function of this alternative telomere maintenance.
  • To understand the co-evolutionary adaptations between Drosophila and telomeric retrotransposons.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Drosophila telomeres.
  • Analysis of the unique non-LTR retrotransposons (HeT-A, TART, TAHRE).
  • Comparative genomics and evolutionary analysis of telomere-retrotransposon interactions.

Main Results:

  • Drosophila telomeres are maintained by targeted transposition of HeT-A, TART, and TAHRE retrotransposons.
  • Co-evolution has shaped both the Drosophila genome and these telomeric retrotransposons.
  • Specific adaptations in Drosophila telomeres enable their function, preserving retrotransposon traits.

Conclusions:

  • Drosophila telomeres represent a remarkable exception to telomerase-mediated maintenance.
  • The symbiotic relationship between Drosophila and retrotransposons provides insights into alternative genome maintenance strategies.
  • Studying such exceptions is crucial for advancing our understanding of biological mechanisms.