Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
11:52
Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
Published on: April 23, 2016
8.9K
Group II introns: versatile ribozymes and retroelements.
Bonnie A McNeil1, Cameron Semper1, Steven Zimmerly1
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA
|February 16, 2016
Summary
Group II introns are catalytic RNAs and retroelements. Their structure and function, including interactions between RNA and reverse transcriptase protein, are key to splicing and mobility.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Group II introns are catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) and retroelements.
- They are found in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotic organelles.
- The canonical form involves RNA and reverse transcriptase protein for splicing and mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure and function of group II introns.
- To discuss their evolutionary derivatives, particularly in eukaryotes.
- To highlight their biotechnological applications.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical studies
- Cross-linking experiments
- X-ray crystallography
Main Results:
- Detailed understanding of RNA-protein cooperation in splicing and mobility.
- Identification of diverse eukaryotic derivatives like spliceosomes and non-LTR retroelements.
- Group II introns comprise significant portions of the human genome.
- Development of group II intron-based biotechnological tools.
Conclusions:
- Group II introns are versatile genetic elements with conserved mechanisms.
- Eukaryotic derivatives play crucial roles in genome organization and function.
- Their unique properties offer valuable tools for biotechnology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:47Ribozymes
13.7K
The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
Ribozymes can...
13.7K
02:47Ribozymes
3.7K
3.7K
03:08LTR Retrotransposons
20.4K
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...
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
20.4K
03:18Non-LTR Retrotransposons
14.0K
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...
14.0K
02:33Retroviruses
15.7K
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’...
15.7K
02:57piRNA - 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