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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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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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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Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Identification of Sleeping Beauty Transposon Insertions in Solid Tumors using Linker-mediated PCR
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Transposable elements in cancer.

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Transposable elements, like LINE-1, are active in human cancers, driving mutations. Their study is advancing, revealing their role as hallmarks of cancer.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) form most of the human genome but were historically underappreciated due to perceived unimportance and technical challenges.
  • Recent advancements in study methods and growing interest in the human mobilome are overcoming these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the activity of transposable elements in human cancers.
  • To highlight the role of Long Interspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons in cancer genomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on transposable element activity in cancer.
  • Focus on LINE-1 retrotransposons, their self-propagation, and protein-coding capabilities.

Main Results:

  • Altered expression of TEs and active LINE-1 sequences are hallmarks of cancer.
  • Somatic insertions of LINE-1 are acquired in cancer genomes.
  • TE activity can drive mutations crucial for tumorigenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable elements, particularly LINE-1, play a significant role in cancer development.
  • The study of the human mobilome is a rapidly advancing field with implications for cancer research.