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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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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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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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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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Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.
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Horizontal transfer and evolution of transposable elements in vertebrates.

Hua-Hao Zhang1, Jean Peccoud2, Min-Rui-Xuan Xu1

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Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) shapes genomes, but its scale and selection are unclear. This study reveals 975 HGT events in vertebrates, mainly in fish, showing TEs face purifying selection for genome invasion.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Horizontal transfer of transposable elements (HTT) is a significant evolutionary force.
  • Limited large-scale studies exist on HTT frequency and selective pressures on transposable elements (TEs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the scale of HTT across vertebrate genomes.
  • To evaluate the selective constraints on TEs during vertical and horizontal transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Screened 307 vertebrate genomes.
  • Inferred a minimum of 975 independent HTT events.
  • Analyzed TE distribution and selective pressures.

Main Results:

  • Identified 975+ HTT events across vertebrates, with 93.7% involving ray-finned fishes.
  • Demonstrated that HTT imposes purifying selection on TEs, requiring functional transposition proteins for invasion.
  • Observed neutral evolution for DNA transposons versus purifying selection for most retrotransposons in the absence of HTT.

Conclusions:

  • HTT is widespread in vertebrates, particularly in ray-finned fishes.
  • Functional TE proteins are essential for successful horizontal gene transfer.
  • Retrotransposons exhibit cis-preference, aiding their long-term persistence in host lineages.