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Related Concept Videos

Transposons01:24

Transposons

1.2K
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

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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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...
17.1K
Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

18.7K
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...
18.7K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

5.3K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
5.3K
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

7.4K
PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma
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Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma

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Transposons disrupt genomic stability and trigger cancers.

Weixia Dong1, Menghui Li1, Ping Li1

  • 1Henan Provincial Research Center of Engineering Technology for Nuclear Protein Medical Detection, Zhengzhou Health College, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|December 29, 2025
PubMed
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Transposons (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can disrupt gene expression and cause genomic instability. Understanding TE activity is crucial for insights into disease pathogenesis.

Keywords:
cancergenomic stabilityinsertregulationtransposons

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Transposon Mediated Integration of Plasmid DNA into the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Mice to Generate Novel Models of Glioblastoma
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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Transposons (TEs) are mobile genetic elements capable of altering genome structure and function.
  • TEs can influence gene expression by inserting into regulatory regions or altering epigenetic modifications.
  • Some TEs encode proteins that impact cellular functions, and their uncontrolled activity can lead to disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the role of transposons in genomic instability.
  • To provide researchers and clinicians with insights into transposon biology and disease implications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on transposon activity and genomic instability.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which TEs affect gene expression and epigenetic regulation.
  • Discussion of the link between transposon insertions and disease pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • TEs contribute to genomic instability through various mechanisms, including transcriptional modulation and epigenetic alterations.
  • Harmful transposon insertions can disrupt normal gene expression, potentially leading to diseases.
  • Host cells possess mechanisms to control TEs, but some escape regulation, impacting cellular functions.

Conclusions:

  • Transposons play a significant role in genomic instability and disease development.
  • Further research into transposon biology is essential for understanding and potentially treating associated diseases.
  • This review highlights the complex interplay between transposons, host genomes, and pathogenesis.