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Related Concept Videos

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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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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Transposons01:24

Transposons

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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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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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Cis-regulatory Sequences02:02

Cis-regulatory Sequences

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Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Multilevel Selection Theory and the Evolutionary Functions of Transposable Elements.

Tyler D P Brunet1, W Ford Doolittle2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Genome Biology and Evolution
|August 9, 2015
PubMed
Summary

The debate over "junk DNA" highlights that genomic features like transposable elements (TEs) may function at higher evolutionary levels, such as between species, rather than just within them. This perspective reframes their role in evolution and speciation.

Keywords:
ENCODEevolutiongenomesmulti-level selectiontransposable elements

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular genetics

Background:

  • The functional significance of non-coding DNA, often termed "junk DNA," is under renewed debate.
  • Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant portion of nuclear DNA in many species, yet their contribution to fitness remains contested.
  • Current understanding often focuses on selection within species, potentially overlooking broader evolutionary impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and expand upon arguments for selection acting at levels above the organism.
  • To investigate the role of transposable elements (TEs) as a common genomic feature in higher-level selection.
  • To re-evaluate the concept of

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of selection at multiple levels of evolution.
  • Conceptual development of arguments for higher-level selection.
  • Application of these arguments to the study of transposable elements (TEs).

Main Results:

  • Selection can operate effectively at inter-species and clade levels, influencing evolutionary trajectories.
  • Transposable elements (TEs), despite potential selfish origins, are subject to selection pressures at organismal and inter-species levels.
  • The prevalence and impact of TEs may be better understood through the lens of higher-level selection, particularly concerning speciation and extinction rates.

Conclusions:

  • The functional role of transposable elements (TEs) may be most accurately attributed to their influence on higher-level evolutionary processes.
  • Viewing genomic features through the framework of multi-level selection offers a more comprehensive understanding of their evolutionary significance.
  • Transposable elements (TEs) might accelerate evolution at the clade level, impacting long-term biodiversity.