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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 18, 2026

Site-Directed &#966;C31-Mediated Integration and Cassette Exchange in Anopheles Vectors of Malaria
09:38

Site-Directed φC31-Mediated Integration and Cassette Exchange in Anopheles Vectors of Malaria

Published on: February 2, 2021

Transposable elements and insecticide resistance.

Wayne G Rostant1, Nina Wedell1, David J Hosken1

  • 1Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Advances in Genetics
|September 18, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transposable elements (TEs) can benefit hosts by conferring insecticide resistance in Drosophila. Some TE insertions, like Accord, also cause sexually antagonistic fitness effects, highlighting complex evolutionary dynamics.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Insect Science

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences with varied effects on host fitness.
  • Initially viewed as 'selfish genes,' TEs can also provide benefits, such as conferring insecticide resistance.
  • Specific TE insertions in Drosophila melanogaster (Accord) and Drosophila simulans (Doc) are linked to insecticide resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the beneficial roles of transposable elements in host adaptation.
  • To examine the specific cases of Accord and Doc transposable elements in Drosophila.
  • To investigate the sexually antagonistic fitness effects associated with TE insertions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of existing literature on transposable elements and insecticide resistance.
  • Case study examination of Accord TEs in Drosophila melanogaster.
  • Discussion of intralocus sexual conflict related to TE alleles.

Main Results:

  • Transposable elements can confer insecticide resistance in insects.
  • Accord TE insertions in Drosophila melanogaster exhibit sexually antagonistic fitness effects.
  • The genetic background influences the fitness consequences of Accord insertions.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable elements play a significant role in insecticide resistance evolution.
  • TEs can be sources of intralocus sexual conflict.
  • Further research is needed on Doc insertion prevalence and Drosophila as models for pest resistance studies.