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Related Concept Videos

Transposons01:24

Transposons

470
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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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

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...
17.4K
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation02:53

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

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Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
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LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

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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...
18.4K
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

12.3K
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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Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity

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CRISPR transposons on the move.

Ioannis Mougiakos1, Chase L Beisel2

  • 1Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 97080 Würzburg, Germany.

Cell Host & Microbe
|May 13, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

CRISPR transposons (CASTs) use CRISPR-Cas systems for DNA transposition. New research reveals CASTs employ CRISPR-array-independent mechanisms for chromosomal homing, explaining their genomic location paradox.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • CRISPR transposons (CASTs) are mobile genetic elements utilizing CRISPR-Cas systems for DNA transposition.
  • A key characteristic of CASTs is that their encoded CRISPR arrays typically do not match their chromosomal integration sites, posing a homing paradox.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which CASTs achieve chromosomal homing independent of their CRISPR arrays.
  • To resolve the paradox of CAST-encoded CRISPR arrays not matching the CAST's genomic location.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomic analysis of diverse CAST types.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of CAST sequences and their flanking regions.
  • Experimental validation of predicted homing mechanisms (details not provided in abstract).

Main Results:

  • Identification of distinct CRISPR-array-independent DNA targeting and integration strategies employed by different CAST families.
  • Evidence suggests that CASTs utilize specific protein domains or accessory factors for chromosomal recognition and transposition.
  • The study resolves the paradox by demonstrating multiple pathways for CAST homing.

Conclusions:

  • CASTs exhibit remarkable evolutionary flexibility by developing CRISPR-array-independent homing mechanisms.
  • These findings expand our understanding of mobile genetic element mobility and CRISPR-Cas system evolution.
  • The diverse homing strategies highlight the adaptability of CASTs in various bacterial and archaeal genomes.