Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
11:52
Analysis of LINE-1 Retrotransposition at the Single Nucleus Level
Published on: April 23, 2016
8.8K
Host Factors Promoting the LTR Retrotransposon Life Cycle in Plant Cells: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Pavel Merkulov1,2, Alexander Polkhovskiy1,2, Elizaveta Kamarauli1,2
1Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Kulakova Str. 20, 123592 Moscow, Russia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 10, 2026
Summary
Long Terminal Repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTEs) are key drivers of plant genome evolution. This review explores host proteins essential for LTR-RTE transposition, highlighting the need for advanced methods to understand plant-specific mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Long Terminal Repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTEs) significantly contribute to plant genome size and diversification.
- LTR-RTE amplification relies on a complex interplay between elements encoded proteins and host cellular factors.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for deciphering genome evolution in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and identify host proteins that facilitate LTR-RTE transposition in plants.
- To explore the cellular compartments involved in the LTR-RTE retrotransposition cycle.
- To highlight knowledge gaps in plant-specific LTR-RTE mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Literature analysis of host factors and cellular compartments involved in retrotransposition.
- Review of existing studies on LTR-RTEs in various plant species.
- Synthesis of current understanding regarding host-pathogen interactions in plant genomes.
Main Results:
- LTR-RTEs extensively integrate into host cellular processes for their life cycle.
- Numerous host proteins and cellular compartments are implicated in LTR-RTE replication.
- Plant-specific mechanisms governing LTR-RTE transposition remain incompletely understood.
Conclusions:
- Elucidating plant-specific LTR-RTE mechanisms requires further investigation.
- Proposed integration of plant mobilomics, reporter systems, genome editing, synthetic biology, and interactomics.
- Advanced approaches are necessary to fully understand the role of host factors in plant LTR-RTE transposition.
Keywords:
LTR retrotransposonsgenome evolutionhost factorsinteractomicsmobilomemultiomicsplant genomesreporter systemsretrotranspositionretrotransposon life cycleMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
03:08LTR Retrotransposons
19.4K
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...
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
19.4K
03:18Non-LTR Retrotransposons
13.1K
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...
13.1K
02:13Overview of Transposition and Recombination
18.8K
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...
18.8K
02:57DNA-only Transposons
17.1K
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...
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
17.1K
01:24Transposons
1.3K
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...
1.3K
02:50Transgenic Plants
8.4K
Recombinant DNA technology called transgenesis is often used to add a foreign gene or remove a detrimental gene from an organism. Such genetically modified organisms are called transgenic organisms.
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...
8.4K