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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.
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Transposons01:24

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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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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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LTR Retrotransposons03:08

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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.
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

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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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Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

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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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piggyBac Transposon System Modification of Primary Human T Cells
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Transposons: a blessing curse.

Manu J Dubin1, Ortrun Mittelsten Scheid2, Claude Becker2

  • 1Université de Lille CNRS, UMR 8198-Evo-Eco-Paleo, Lille, France.

Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|February 18, 2018
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental stress can activate transposable elements (TEs) in plants, leading to new genetic variations. This process enhances plant adaptation and genome evolution, offering new breeding opportunities.

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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:

  • Genomics
  • Plant Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Plant genomes are largely composed of transposable elements (TEs), previously termed 'junk DNA'.
  • TEs are now recognized as key drivers of genome evolution and plasticity.
  • Environmental stimuli can trigger bursts of TE activity, influencing plant adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the phenomenon of environmentally induced transposition in plants.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which TEs alter gene expression and phenotypes.
  • To discuss the implications of TE activity for plant genome evolution and breeding.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on recent research in plant genomics and epigenetics.
  • Analysis of studies investigating stress-induced transposable element dynamics.
  • Synthesis of findings on the impact of TEs on gene expression and adaptation.

Main Results:

  • Environmental stresses can induce specific transposable element families to transpose, creating new insertions.
  • New TE insertions can alter the expression of nearby genes, sometimes making them responsive to the same stress.
  • This TE-mediated genetic variation provides a mechanism for rapid adaptation to environmental changes.

Conclusions:

  • Environmentally induced transposition is a significant factor in plant genome evolution.
  • Understanding TE activity offers potential for crop improvement and breeding strategies.
  • TEs play a crucial role in the adaptive capacity of plant species.