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Related Concept Videos

Transposons01:24

Transposons

3.1K
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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DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

18.6K
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...
18.6K
Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

21.2K
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...
21.2K
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

7.9K
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...
7.9K
LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

20.5K
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...
20.5K
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

14.1K
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...
14.1K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

piggyBac Transposon System Modification of Primary Human T Cells
10:02

piggyBac Transposon System Modification of Primary Human T Cells

Published on: November 5, 2012

18.0K

piggyBac Transposon.

Kosuke Yusa1

  • 1Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.

Microbiology Spectrum
|June 25, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The piggyBac transposon, initially rare, is now recognized as a widespread DNA element. Its broad host range and unique characteristics make it a key tool for genetic manipulation across diverse organisms.

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Hyperactive piggyBac Transposase-mediated Germline Transformation in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
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Hyperactive piggyBac Transposase-mediated Germline Transformation in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

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The Production of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Amniotic Fluid Cells Using a Transposon System
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Last Updated: Apr 8, 2026

piggyBac Transposon System Modification of Primary Human T Cells
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Hyperactive piggyBac Transposase-mediated Germline Transformation in the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
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The Production of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Amniotic Fluid Cells Using a Transposon System
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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The piggyBac transposon was first identified in the cabbage looper moth.
  • Initially considered rare, its significance was underestimated due to its dissimilarity to other DNA transposons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To revise the understanding of piggyBac transposon prevalence and characteristics.
  • To highlight its utility as a genetic manipulation tool.

Main Methods:

  • Genomic analysis of sequenced genomes to identify piggyBac-like elements.
  • Isolation of active piggyBac-like elements from various species.
  • Biochemical analysis of transposition mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of widespread piggyBac-like repetitive elements across diverse genomes.
  • Identification of active mammalian DNA transposons, including in bats.
  • Characterization of unique piggyBac features: TTAA target sites, precise excision, and DNA synthesis-independent transposition.

Conclusions:

  • The piggyBac transposon superfamily is globally distributed and highly versatile.
  • Its broad host range and unique transposition mechanism make it invaluable for genetic engineering in various organisms.
  • Ongoing research continues to deepen the understanding and application of this important transposon system.