Evolutionary Study of Transposable Elements: Structural Characterization and Phylogenomic Profiling in Plant Genomes

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Transposable elements (TEs) are dynamic DNA sequences crucial for eukaryotic genome structure and function.
• Next-generation sequencing advances reveal TE abundance and diversity.
• Active TEs enhance genetic variability and adaptation to environmental stressors through mutations, gene expression modulation, and genome rearrangements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key examples of horizontal transfer and vertical transmission of TEs in plants.
• To explore the structural features, evolutionary trajectories, and divergence patterns of TE families.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on transposable elements.
• Analysis of examples of Class I and Class II TE families, including Opie, Ji, RIRE1, and Tos17.
• Examination of TE roles in genome expansion and stress-induced activation.

Main Results:

• TEs contribute significantly to intra-species genetic variability and adaptation.
• Horizontal transfer and vertical transmission are key evolutionary mechanisms for Class I and Class II TEs.
• Specific TE families like Opie and Ji expand the maize genome, while Tos17 shows stress-induced activity.

Conclusions:

• TEs are vital drivers of genome evolution and adaptation in plants.
• Understanding TE dynamics, including transfer and transmission, is crucial for plant biology.
• TEs offer insights into genome plasticity and responses to environmental challenges.