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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.
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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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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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Position-effect Variegation02:32

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In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
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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.
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Transposon dynamics and the epigenetic switch hypothesis.

Stefan Linquist1, Brady Fullerton2

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada. linquist@uoguelph.ca.

Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics
|December 17, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Epigenetics research may overlook transposon dynamics, with enthusiasm for epigenetics inversely related to transposon interest across disciplines. Biomedical science shows declining interest in transposons, potentially neglecting crucial coevolutionary insights.

Keywords:
Epigenetic inheritanceFunction conceptsPhilosophy of genomicsTransposable elements

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biomedical Science

Background:

  • Epigenetics is gaining significant interest, often viewed as a revolutionary field.
  • The epigenetic switch hypothesis suggests epigenetic inheritance is an adaptive response to environmental changes.
  • An alternative explanation involves coevolutionary dynamics between parasitic transposons and host genomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether epigenetics researchers systematically overlook transposon dynamics.
  • To analyze trends in epigenetics and transposon research over the past fifty years.
  • To examine disciplinary differences in the use and interpretation of epigenetic concepts.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive survey of scientific publications on epigenetics and transposons over fifty years.
  • Analysis of scientific abstracts from the past twenty-five years.
  • Examination of four distinct scientific disciplines: biomedical science, developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and cellular/molecular biology.

Main Results:

  • Enthusiasm for epigenetics showed an inverse relationship with interest in transposon dynamics across examined disciplines.
  • A notable decline in transposon research interest was observed in biomedical and cellular/molecular biology over the last two decades.
  • Evolutionary biology exhibited delayed and less pronounced enthusiasm for epigenetics.
  • Systematic differences in the application of the term 'epigenetic,' particularly regarding heritability and function, were identified across disciplines.

Conclusions:

  • The rise of epigenetics may be accompanied by a potential neglect of transposon dynamics, especially within biomedical research.
  • Understanding the interplay between epigenetics and transposons is crucial for a comprehensive view of genome evolution and function.
  • Further research is needed to explore the coevolutionary dynamics between host genomes and transposons within the context of epigenetic regulation.