Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
06:52
The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project
Published on: November 12, 2009
15.6K
Reality check for transposon enhancers.
Julie Brind'Amour1, Dixie L Mager2
1Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Elife
|June 1, 2019
Summary
Many retrovirus-like sequences may act as gene enhancers, but experimental tests on mouse stem cells show only a few actually regulate genes. This research identifies active gene regulatory elements within these sequences.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Retrovirus-like sequences are abundant in genomes and possess characteristics of gene regulatory elements.
- Identifying functional gene enhancers among these sequences is crucial for understanding gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally validate the gene-enhancing activity of retrovirus-like sequences in mouse stem cells.
- To determine the proportion of putatively identified enhancers that exhibit actual regulatory function.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify retrovirus-like sequences with enhancer-like features.
- In vitro assays using mouse stem cells to test the gene-regulating activity of selected sequences.
Main Results:
- Hundreds of retrovirus-like sequences were identified as potential gene enhancers based on sequence features.
- Only a small subset of these sequences demonstrated significant gene-regulating activity in experimental assays.
- Functional enhancers were confirmed within specific retrovirus-like elements.
Conclusions:
- The presence of enhancer-like features does not guarantee gene-regulatory function.
- Experimental validation is essential to confirm the activity of putative gene enhancers.
- A small fraction of retrovirus-like sequences function as active gene enhancers in mouse stem cells.
Related Concept Videos
02:57DNA-only Transposons
17.3K
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...
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
17.3K
01:24Transposons
1.6K
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...
1.6K
01:29Protein Folding Quality Check in the RER
5.1K
ER is the primary site for the maturation and folding of soluble and transmembrane secretory proteins. The calnexin cycle is a specific chaperone system that folds and assesses the confirmation of N-glycosylated proteins before they can exit the ER lumen. The primary players of this quality check pipeline are the lectins, ER-resident chaperones, and a glucosyl transferase enzyme. In case the calnexin system in the lumen fails to salvage a misfolded protein, it is transported to the cytoplasm...
5.1K
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.8K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.8K
01:16Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
229
Body:Bioavailability is a critical factor in determining a drug's effectiveness. It refers to the proportion of a drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and is, as a result, able to have an active effect. Enhancing bioavailability is essential for drugs with poor solubility, as it can significantly impact their therapeutic efficacy. Various methods are employed to increase the solubility of drugs, thereby enhancing their bioavailability.Micronization and nanonization are...
229
01:27Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
194
Body:After oral administration, poor permeability often limits the rate at which drugs are absorbed through the intestinal epithelium. Enhancing drug permeability is crucial for effective therapy, and several strategies have been developed to overcome this challenge.One effective strategy involves the use of lipid-based formulations. These formulations enhance dissolution and solubility, targeting physiological mechanisms to increase drug absorption. This includes stimulating bile salt...
194