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Related Concept Videos

LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

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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.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
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Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

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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Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

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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...
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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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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Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

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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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DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

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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.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
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Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

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Integration, Regulation, and Long-Term Stability of R2 Retrotransposons.

Thomas H Eickbush1, Danna G Eickbush1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627.

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

R2 elements are non-LTR retrotransposons that insert into 28S rRNA genes. Despite rapid turnover, R2 elements persist across animal lineages by remaining dormant until rDNA locus rearrangements activate their transcription.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • R2 elements are non-LTR retrotransposons specifically found in animal 28S rRNA genes.
  • They encode an endonuclease and reverse transcriptase, facilitating target-primed reverse transcription.
  • Unique properties of R2 reverse transcriptase and DNA/RNA binding domains have been identified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression regulation and long-term evolutionary maintenance of R2 elements within the rDNA locus.
  • To understand the interplay between R2 insertion, rDNA locus structure, and gene expression in Drosophila.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of R2 element's long-term vertical transmission in animal lineages.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of R2 element distribution and expression in laboratory and natural populations of Drosophila.
  • Characterization of R2-encoded protein domains and enzymatic activities.
  • Investigation of rDNA locus dynamics, including transcription, self-cleavage, and meiotic recombination events.

Main Results:

  • R2 expression is regulated by the availability of active rRNA genes and the size of R2-free regions within the rDNA locus.
  • R2 elements can be activated for transcription when R2-free regions are insufficient for rRNA production.
  • R2 elements exhibit rapid turnover within the rDNA locus but are maintained across animal lineages over long evolutionary timescales.

Conclusions:

  • R2 element persistence is attributed to their ability to remain dormant and become transcriptionally active through stochastic recombination events within the rDNA locus.
  • The concerted evolution of the rDNA locus plays a crucial role in the shuffling and potential activation of R2-inserted units.
  • R2 elements represent a unique model for studying retrotransposon dynamics, gene regulation, and long-term evolutionary adaptation.