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Related Concept Videos

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Non-LTR Retrotransposons

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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...
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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.
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Horizontal Gene Transfer01:27

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Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a process where genetic material moves between organisms within the same generation, unlike vertical gene transfer, which occurs from parent to offspring. HGT plays a crucial role in microbial evolution, adaptation, and survival, particularly in shared environments like the human gut.Mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, prophages, integrons, insertion sequences, and transposons facilitate this process. HGT occurs through three primary mechanisms:...
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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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The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
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Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
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Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes
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Using the class 1 integron-integrase gene as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution.

Michael R Gillings1, William H Gaze2, Amy Pruden3

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Genes to Geoscience Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The ISME Journal
|December 16, 2014
PubMed
Summary

The clinical class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) can indicate pollution levels. Its abundance correlates with human activity, making it a useful marker for environmental monitoring.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Molecular ecology
  • Antimicrobial resistance

Background:

  • Human activities generate diverse pollutants (pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microorganisms).
  • Monitoring these pollutants is challenging due to spatial and temporal variations in concentration.
  • The clinical class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) is frequently found in environments impacted by human activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) as a proxy for anthropogenic pollution.
  • To review existing literature on the relationship between human impacts and intI1 abundance.
  • To propose a method for using intI1 as an environmental pollution indicator.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies correlating anthropogenic impacts with intI1 abundance.
  • Analysis of intI1's characteristics: linkage to resistance genes, presence in diverse bacteria, rapid abundance changes, and horizontal gene transfer.
  • Examination of intI1's association with xenogenetic elements shaped by human selection.

Main Results:

  • The intI1 gene is linked to resistance determinants for antibiotics, disinfectants, and heavy metals.
  • intI1 is present in a broad spectrum of bacterial species, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic.
  • Rapid generation times of host bacteria and horizontal gene transfer contribute to rapid changes in intI1 abundance.
  • A specific intI1 variant is found on diverse xenogenetic elements, indicating human selection.

Conclusions:

  • The relative abundance of the intI1 gene can serve as a reliable proxy for anthropogenic pollution.
  • intI1's characteristics make it a sensitive indicator of environmental contamination.
  • This approach offers a novel strategy for monitoring diverse pollution zones.