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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

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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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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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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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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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Study of Transposable Elements and Their Genomic Impact.

Martin Muñoz-Lopez1, Raquel Vilar-Astasio2, Pablo Tristan-Ramos2

  • 1Department of Human DNA Variability, Pfizer/University of Granada and Andalusian Regional Government Center for Genomics and Oncology (GENYO), Avda Ilustracion 114, PTS Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain. martin.munoz@genyo.es.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|February 20, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Transposable elements (TEs), once called junk DNA, are now recognized for their crucial roles in genome evolution and the development of genomic disorders. This review explores TE types and methods for studying their impact.

Keywords:
DNA transposonLINE-1RetrotranspositionRetrotransposonSINETransposable elementTransposition

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Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) were historically dismissed as 'junk DNA' due to their abundance and lack of perceived function.
  • Recent research highlights the significant evolutionary impact and functional roles of TE-derived sequences in genomes.
  • TEs are increasingly implicated in the etiology and progression of various genomic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a concise overview of the diverse types of transposable elements within genomes.
  • To present a comprehensive list of current techniques and methodologies for studying TE impact and mobilization.
  • To serve as an introductory guide for detailed methods discussed in an accompanying Method Book.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis for TE identification and classification.
  • Molecular techniques for detecting TE activity and integration sites.
  • Comparative genomics to assess TE roles in genome evolution.
  • Functional assays to determine the cellular impact of TEs.

Main Results:

  • Demonstration of TEs' fundamental role in shaping genome evolution across species.
  • Evidence linking TE mobilization to the onset and development of genomic disorders.
  • Cataloging of diverse TE families and their varying mechanisms of action.
  • Overview of established and emerging methods for TE research.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable elements are integral components of genome evolution, not mere genomic parasites.
  • Understanding TEs is critical for deciphering the mechanisms behind numerous genomic disorders.
  • The methodologies discussed are essential for advancing research into TE function and impact.