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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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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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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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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Translesion DNA Polymerases02:10

Translesion DNA Polymerases

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Translesion (TLS) polymerases rescue stalled DNA polymerases at sites of damaged bases by replacing the replicative polymerase and installing a nucleotide across the damaged site. Doing so, TLS allows additional time for the cell to repair the damage before resuming regular DNA replication.
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 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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DNA Transposition at Work.

Alison B Hickman1, Fred Dyda1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States.

Chemical Reviews
|May 18, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

DNA transposons are mobile DNA segments that move within genomes using transposase enzymes. This review covers their classification, DD(E/D) transposase mechanisms, and diverse genomic applications where random integration is beneficial.

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Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma
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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • DNA transposons are mobile genetic elements capable of relocating within a genome.
  • Their movement is mediated by transposase enzymes, often encoded by the transposon itself.
  • Understanding transposon classification and mechanisms is crucial for genomic research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of DNA transposon classification across various organisms.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of DD(E/D) catalytic domain transposases using structural data.
  • To present a non-exhaustive review of transposon applications in genomics.

Main Methods:

  • Classification of DNA transposons based on sequence and structural features.
  • Analysis of 3D structures of transpososomes (transposase-nucleic acid complexes) for mechanistic insights.
  • Literature review of transposon-based genomic applications.

Main Results:

  • DNA transposons are diverse, with the DD(E/D) group being the largest and most common.
  • Structural analysis reveals mechanistic similarities to RNase H for DD(E/D) transposases.
  • Transposon applications are valuable for genome modification, especially when random integration is desired.

Conclusions:

  • DD(E/D) transposases represent a significant class with well-characterized mechanisms.
  • Transposon-based strategies offer unique advantages for genomic applications requiring high-frequency, random integration.
  • These mobile elements remain indispensable tools in various fields of genomic research and biotechnology.