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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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While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Transposable Elements: Major Players in Shaping Genomic and Evolutionary Patterns.

Nunzia Colonna Romano1, Laura Fanti1

  • 1Istituto Pasteur Italia, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.

Cells
|March 25, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transposable elements (TEs) are genetic elements with a dual role, acting as both genomic parasites and symbionts. Their movement drives genetic variability and evolutionary dynamics, despite potential for harmful mutations.

Keywords:
environmental stressepigeneticsevolutiontransposable elements

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences found in all organisms.
  • TEs can cause mutations, leading to disease, but also enhance genetic diversity for adaptation.
  • Organisms possess mechanisms to suppress TE activity, yet they can be reactivated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dual nature of transposable elements as both genomic parasites and symbionts.
  • To elucidate the contribution of TE transposition to evolutionary processes.
  • To discuss the role of insertional mutagenesis and epigenetic plasticity in evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on transposable elements.
  • Analysis of the dual role of TEs in genome dynamics.
  • Discussion of evolutionary implications of TE activity.

Main Results:

  • Transposable elements exhibit a 'double life,' functioning as both parasitic and symbiotic genetic elements.
  • TE transposition significantly contributes to genetic variability and the temporal dynamics of evolution.
  • The interplay between insertional mutagenesis and epigenetic plasticity mediated by TEs influences evolutionary trajectories.

Conclusions:

  • Transposable elements are key drivers of genetic diversity and evolutionary adaptation.
  • Understanding TE dynamics is crucial for comprehending genome evolution and organismal adaptation.
  • TEs represent a fundamental force shaping the evolutionary landscape.