Jumpstarting evolution: How transposition can facilitate adaptation to rapid environmental changes

Because of their ability to replicate across genomes, transposable elements (TEs) represent major generators of large-effect mutations. As a result, chromatin-based mechanisms have evolved to control the mutational potential of TEs at multiple levels, from the epigenetic silencing of TE sequences, through the modulation of their integration space, up to the alleviation of the impact of new insertions. Although most TE insertions are highly deleterious, some can provide key adaptive variation. Together with their remarkable sensitivity to the environment and precise integration preferences, the unique characteristics of TEs place them as potent genomic engines of adaptive innovation. Herein, we review recent works exploring the regulation and impact of transposition in nature and discuss their implications for the evolutionary response of species to drastic environmental changes.