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Related Concept Videos

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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DNA-only Transposons02:57

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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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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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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.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
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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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General Transcription Factors01:30

General Transcription Factors

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Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
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Transposable Elements and Stress in Vertebrates: An Overview.

Anna Maria Pappalardo1, Venera Ferrito1, Maria Assunta Biscotti2

  • 1Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences-Section of Animal Biology "M. La Greca", University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy.

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Transposable Elements (TEs) are vital for vertebrate evolution and diversity. Environmental factors and diet can alter TE activity, impacting host genomes and potentially leading to disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Transposable Elements (TEs) are key genomic regulatory elements contributing to genetic diversity and evolutionary innovation in vertebrates.
  • TEs have been linked to major evolutionary transitions and biodiversity.
  • Recent research highlights correlations between TE activity and environmental stresses or dietary factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of TEs in vertebrate genomes.
  • To report host genome silencing mechanisms for TE regulation.
  • To explore the effects of environmental and dietary exposures on TE activity in mammals.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Transposable Elements in vertebrates, particularly mammals.
  • Analysis of epigenetic modifications and silencing mechanisms regulating TE activity.
  • Examination of research linking environmental and dietary factors to TE expression.

Main Results:

  • TEs significantly influence vertebrate genome evolution and biodiversity.
  • Host genomes employ various silencing mechanisms to control TE activity.
  • Environmental stresses and dietary factors can induce epigenetic changes, altering TE silencing and leading to activation.

Conclusions:

  • TEs are crucial players in vertebrate genome dynamics and evolution.
  • Environmental and dietary factors can modulate TE activity through epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Studying TEs may offer future opportunities for developing biomarkers for early detection of epigenetic changes and disease prevention.