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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...

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

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.
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LTR Retrotransposons

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...

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Embryo Microinjection and Knockout Mutant Identification of CRISPR/Cas9 Genome-Edited Helicoverpa Armigera (Hübner)

Embryo Microinjection and Knockout Mutant Identification of CRISPR/Cas9 Genome-Edited Helicoverpa Armigera (Hübner)

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Transposable element evolution in Heliconius suggests genome diversity within Lepidoptera.

Christine A Lavoie¹, Roy N Platt, Peter A Novick

¹Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. david.4.ray@gmail.com.

|October 4, 2013

Summary

Transposable elements (TEs) make up ~25% of the Heliconius melpomene genome, with active DNA transposons and non-LTR retrotransposons being prominent. High TE turnover suggests a potential deleterious effect or advantage in maintaining a small genome.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Transposable elements (TEs) significantly influence genome structure, function, and evolution.
Understanding TE contributions is crucial for deciphering genome dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and characterize repetitive sequences, specifically transposable elements (TEs), within the Heliconius melpomene draft genome.
To assess the abundance, types, and evolutionary dynamics of TEs in H. melpomene.

Main Methods:

Bioinformatic analysis of the H. melpomene draft genome sequence.
Identification and quantification of repetitive sequences, categorizing them into different TE classes.

Main Results:

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute approximately 25% of the H. melpomene genome.
Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are the predominant class (~12%), including a novel SINE family. DNA transposons are also abundant and diverse, with recent mobilization.
H. melpomene shows higher DNA transposon content and a different TE repertoire compared to Bombyx mori, with a high rate of TE turnover and few ancient elements.

Conclusions:

This study provides the first comprehensive de novo characterization of TE content in a butterfly genome.
The findings suggest TEs may have a deleterious effect or that maintaining a small genome is advantageous in H. melpomene.
Substantial TE diversity is anticipated across other lepidopteran genomes.