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Related Concept Videos

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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DNA-only Transposons02:57

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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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Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...
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Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

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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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Transduction01:16

Transduction

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Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome...
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Bacterial Translocation and Protein Secretion01:26

Bacterial Translocation and Protein Secretion

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Bacterial protein secretion involves translocation systems to ensure proteins reach their designated locations, including the plasma membrane, periplasm, outer membrane, or the external environment. These translocation systems are vital for bacterial physiology, supporting processes like membrane assembly, enzymatic activity in the periplasm, and interactions with the external environment. The division of labor between Sec and Tat pathways ensures efficiency in handling proteins with diverse...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing
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Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing

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Dynamics of bacterial insertion sequences: can transposition bursts help the elements persist?

Yue Wu1,2,3, Richard Z Aandahl4,5, Mark M Tanaka6,7

  • 1School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia. yue.wu@telethonkids.org.au.

BMC Evolutionary Biology
|December 23, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Transposition bursts, while creating genetic variation for microbial adaptation, do not ensure the long-term persistence of bacterial insertion sequences (ISs). Most IS-induced mutations are harmful, leading to their eventual elimination from populations.

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Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri
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Creation of a Dense Transposon Insertion Library Using Bacterial Conjugation in Enterobacterial Strains Such As Escherichia Coli or Shigella flexneri
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Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Locations for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
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Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Locations for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacterial insertion sequences (ISs) are common in prokaryotes but often harmful to host genomes.
  • Existing explanations for IS prevalence, like horizontal gene transfer, are insufficient.
  • Environmental stress can trigger IS transposition bursts, increasing IS activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether transposition bursts can lead to the long-term persistence of ISs in bacterial populations.
  • To understand the interplay between selective forces and IS transposition dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • A simulation model was employed to study IS dynamics.
  • The model analyzed the effects of transposition bursts and selective pressures on IS elements.

Main Results:

  • ISs are generally eliminated from populations, even with occasional beneficial mutations.
  • Transposition bursts can increase genetic variation and temporarily improve cell fitness.
  • Negative selection against ISs often outweighs benefits, accelerating their extinction.
  • Down-regulation of transposition can slow IS extinction while still promoting genetic variation.

Conclusions:

  • Transposition bursts do not guarantee IS persistence due to the high rate of deleterious mutations.
  • Bursts enhance genetic variation, facilitating occasional beneficial mutations for microbial adaptation.
  • Regulation of transposition bursts and positive selection can decelerate IS extinction.