Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

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...

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

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...

Transposons

Transposons

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...

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only Transposons

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...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

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...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

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

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A universal 6iL/E4 culture system for deriving and maintaining embryonic stem cells across mammalian species.

Cell research·2026

Same author

Mitochondrial translocation of DNMT3L suppresses oxidative phosphorylation and restrains megakaryopoiesis.

Mitochondrion·2026

Same author

Mechanobiology of the tumor microenvironment: a review of therapeutic interactions and in vitro elasticity measurement techniques.

Journal of biomedical science·2026

Same author

Conserved enhancer association of piRNAs and the implication in germ cell fate surveillance.

Genome biology·2026

Same author

Targeting fibroblast TXNDC5 resolves tumor desmoplasia and PD-1 resistance in colorectal cancer with mesenchymal traits.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Fully computational design of PAM-relaxed <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Cas9 with expanded targeting capability using UniDesign.

eLife·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 25, 2025

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

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

Published on: January 20, 2023

More than causing (epi)genomic instability: emerging physiological implications of transposable element modulation.

Pu-Sheng Hsu¹, Shu-Han Yu¹, Yi-Tzang Tsai¹

¹Institute of Biotechnology, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Journal of Biomedical Science

|August 8, 2021

Summary

Transposable elements (TEs) are vital genomic components that can cause disease but are also crucial for gene regulation. New technologies now allow for their detailed study and functional characterization.

Keywords:

Differentiation Enhancers Epigenetics Evolution Functional RNAs Transposable elements (TEs)

More Related Videos

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions

Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions

Published on: June 28, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 25, 2025

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

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

Published on: January 20, 2023

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level

Published on: April 23, 2016

Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions

Promoter Capture Hi-C: High-resolution, Genome-wide Profiling of Promoter Interactions

Published on: June 28, 2018

Area of Science:

Genomics
Epigenetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant fraction of plant and animal genomes.
TEs can disrupt genes and regulatory sequences, potentially causing disease.
Cells employ epigenetic and RNA-mediated mechanisms to control TEs and maintain genomic integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the dual role of TEs as genomic threats and regulators.
To discuss the physiological importance of endogenous TEs in various biological processes.
To highlight recent technological advancements in TE research.

Main Methods:

Long-read sequencing technologies for profiling repetitive DNA.
Bioinformatic tools for precise TE annotation.
Genetic editing for functional characterization of TEs.

Main Results:

TEs attract epigenetic modifiers, leading to alterations that can affect neighboring genes.
Endogenous TEs function as cis-acting regulatory elements.
TE-containing transcripts can modulate host cell transcriptomes.
Specific TEs play critical roles in mammalian development and species differentiation.

Conclusions:

TEs are essential for gene regulation and cellular function, despite their potential to disrupt genomes.
Advanced technologies are crucial for overcoming the challenges in studying repetitive TE sequences.
Understanding TEs is key to comprehending genome integrity, gene regulation, and mammalian evolution.