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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.
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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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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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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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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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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Establishing an Octopus Ecosystem for Biomedical and Bioengineering Research
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Transposon Ecology and the Octopus Genome.

Stefan Linquist1,2, Tyler A Elliott1,2, Stefan C Kremer3

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|March 14, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Transposable elements (TEs) in octopus genomes may drive brain evolution or be genomic parasites. This study proposes a genome-ecological framework to analyze TE function by comparing their expression across tissues, particularly germline cells.

Keywords:
genome‐level ecologyintra‐genomic nicheoctopus genomeselfish DNAtransposable elements

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Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing
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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Cephalopod Research

Background:

  • Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences with debated roles in evolution.
  • Octopus genomes offer a unique model to study TE activity and its impact on complex traits like cognition.
  • Current hypotheses suggest TEs may enhance cephalopod brain evolution or act as selfish genetic elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the genome-ecological alternative hypothesis for transposable element (TE) function in octopuses.
  • To develop novel predictions for TE roles based on ecological principles applied to the genome.
  • To investigate whether TEs provide organism-beneficial functions or are primarily selfish genetic entities.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing evidence of TE accumulation and somatic activity in octopus genomes.
  • Applying ecological niche theory to understand TE behavior within the genome.
  • Comparing TE gene expression levels across different octopus tissues, with a focus on germline cells.

Main Results:

  • Evidence for TE accumulation and somatic activity is consistent with both beneficial and parasitic interpretations.
  • A genome-ecological framework predicts TE replication rates based on "environmental" conditions, such as gene expression patterns.
  • TEs may be adapted to germline cell niches, influencing their replication and potential function.

Conclusions:

  • Organism-beneficial functions of TEs can only be inferred when their expression patterns significantly deviate from those predicted by niche overlap with germline cells.
  • The study provides a novel framework for dissecting the complex roles of TEs in genome evolution.
  • Further research comparing TE expression across tissues is crucial for understanding their true impact on host organisms.