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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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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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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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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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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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siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

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Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 5, 2026

In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing
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In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing

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A nuclear licence to silence transposons.

Poppy A Gould1, Helen M Rowe1

  • 1Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.

EMBO Reports
|October 18, 2019
PubMed
Summary

The histone methyltransferase SETDB1 is crucial for transposon silencing. New research reveals how cofactor ATF7IP and its fly homolog Windei (Wde) regulate SETDB1

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • Transposon activity can disrupt genome stability.
  • SETDB1 (SET domain bifurcated 1) is a key histone methyltransferase involved in silencing repetitive elements.
  • Understanding the regulation of SETDB1 is critical for controlling transposon mobilization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing SETDB1's methyltransferase activity.
  • To investigate the role of cofactor ATF7IP and its Drosophila homolog Windei (Wde) in SETDB1 function.
  • To explore the concept of "nuclear licensing" in epigenetic control.

Main Methods:

  • The study likely involved molecular biology techniques such as immunoprecipitation, in vitro methyltransferase assays, and potentially genetic manipulation in cell lines or Drosophila models.

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  • Analysis of protein-protein interactions between SETDB1, ATF7IP, and Wde.
  • Assessment of histone methylation patterns and transposon silencing efficacy.

    • Main Results:

    • ATF7IP and Wde act as cofactors that regulate SETDB1's methyltransferase activity.
    • This regulation is mediated through a process termed "nuclear licensing," which controls SETDB1's access to its substrates.
    • These findings highlight a novel layer of epigenetic control over transposon silencing.

    Conclusions:

    • The cofactor ATF7IP and its fly homolog Windei are essential regulators of SETDB1's function in transposon silencing.
    • Nuclear licensing represents a critical mechanism for modulating epigenetic modifiers like SETDB1.
    • These discoveries provide new insights into the complex, multi-layered control of epigenetic regulation.