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Related Concept Videos

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
11:52

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

Eukaryotic transposable elements and genome evolution.

D J Finnegan

    Trends in Genetics : TIG
    |April 1, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Complex mutations, including transposable elements, drove eukaryotic genome evolution beyond simple base substitutions. These mobile genetic elements significantly altered gene structure and expression, contributing to evolutionary changes.

    More Related Videos

    RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level
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    RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level

    Published on: May 19, 2019

    Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
    04:04

    Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity

    Published on: January 20, 2023

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    Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

    Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
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    Published on: April 23, 2016

    RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level
    11:04

    RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level

    Published on: May 19, 2019

    Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
    04:04

    Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity

    Published on: January 20, 2023

    Area of Science:

    • Genomics
    • Evolutionary Biology
    • Molecular Genetics

    Background:

    • Eukaryotic genome evolution involves complex DNA sequence changes.
    • Simple base substitutions alone do not explain observed evolutionary alterations.
    • The role of complex mutations in shaping genomes is an area of active research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the contribution of complex mutations to eukaryotic genome evolution.
    • To investigate the role of transposable elements in evolutionary events.
    • To understand how mobile genetic elements impact gene structure and expression.

    Main Methods:

    • Comparative genomics analysis.
    • Bioinformatic identification of mutation types.
    • Functional analysis of transposable element impact on genes.

    Main Results:

    • Eukaryotic genome evolution is characterized by mutations beyond base substitutions.
    • Transposable elements were identified as significant contributors to these complex mutations.
    • Transposable elements demonstrably alter gene structure and expression patterns.

    Conclusions:

    • Transposable elements played a crucial role in eukaryotic genome evolution.
    • Complex mutations, facilitated by transposable elements, are essential for understanding evolutionary trajectories.
    • Further research into mobile genetic elements will illuminate genome evolution mechanisms.