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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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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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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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Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

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Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
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Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

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Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
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DNA methylation enables transposable element-driven genome expansion.

Wanding Zhou1,2, Gangning Liang3, Peter L Molloy4

  • 1Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104; zhouw3@email.chop.edu peter.jones@vai.org.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 29, 2020
PubMed
Summary

DNA methylation of transposable elements (TEs) is crucial for genome expansion and gene regulation. This process, involving cytosine methylation, facilitates TE accommodation and the evolution of new regulatory sites within eukaryotic genomes.

Keywords:
DNA methylationgenome sizetransposable element

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Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Eukaryotic genome size varies significantly, largely due to transposable elements (TEs).
  • TEs can influence host gene regulation and contribute substantially to cellular DNA mass.
  • Cytosine methylation of CpG dinucleotides is a key mechanism for suppressing TE activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of DNA methylation in the long-term accommodation and expansion of TEs within eukaryotic genomes.
  • To explore the relationship between TE content, genome size, and CpG methylation patterns.
  • To understand how TE methylation influences their potential for acquiring regulatory functions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of whole-genome sequences from 53 diverse eukaryotic organisms.
  • Correlation analysis between genome size, TE percentage, and CpG observed/expected (O/E) ratios.
  • Examination of TE distribution relative to genomic features like promoters, transcription start sites, and enhancers.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was observed between genome size and the percentage of TEs across the studied organisms.
  • A negative correlation was found between genome size and the CpG O/E ratio in both TEs and host DNA.
  • TEs were less frequent at promoters and transcription start sites but enriched at enhancers, often bearing mutations from deamination.

Conclusions:

  • DNA methylation of TEs is essential for their stable integration and subsequent genome expansion.
  • The deamination of methylated cytosines in TEs leads to CpG loss and C-to-T mutations, facilitating regulatory role acquisition.
  • TE methylation provides a mechanism for genome expansion and generates novel regulatory elements, impacting host gene control.