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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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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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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 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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Recurrent co-domestication of PIF/Harbinger transposable element proteins in insects.

Dragomira N Markova1, Fatema B Ruma1, Claudio Casola2

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.

Mobile DNA
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PubMed
Summary

Transposable elements (TEs) can create new host proteins. PIF transposase and MADF protein co-domestication frequently occurs from the same TE insertion in insects, supporting a model of new gene origination.

Keywords:
InsectsMolecular domesticationPIF/harbinger transposable element

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences.
  • TE proteins can be "domesticated" to form new host proteins.
  • PIF/Harbinger TEs possess two genes, suggesting potential co-domestication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate PIF TE domestication events in insect genomes.
  • Explore co-domestication of PIF transposase and MADF proteins.
  • Support a model of new gene origination via TE domestication.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide exploration of PIF transposase homologs in insect species.
  • Phylogenetic and contextual analysis of TE-derived genes.
  • Bioinformatic prediction of protein localization signals.

Main Results:

  • Identified at least six independent PIF TE domestication events across insects.
  • Documented co-domestication of transposase and MADF proteins in Anopheles (Diptera).
  • Observed transposase-only and co-domestication events in Lepidoptera and Blattodea.

Conclusions:

  • PIF transposase domestication in insects is often accompanied by MADF protein co-domestication.
  • Co-domestication likely serves regulatory functions for the new host proteins.
  • Propose a model where co-domestication originates from the same PIF TE insertion.