Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
11:04
RNA Next-Generation Sequencing and a Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Expressed LINE-1s at the Locus-Specific Level
Published on: May 19, 2019
Diversity and genome engineering applications of R2 non-LTR retrotransposons
Nozhat T Hassan1, Anna E Sheppard1, David L Adelson1
1The University of Adelaide.
RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|July 30, 2026
Summary
The R2 retrotransposon system facilitates gene insertion into genomes. This study details R2 sequence discovery and phylogeny, enhancing its application in genome engineering for gene addition to the human genome.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The R2 retrotransposon family is a key model for studying non-long-terminal-repeat retrotransposon mobility.
- Avian R2 systems are increasingly used for stable sequence integration into the human genome.
- Research spans biochemical analyses to cellular processes supporting retrotransposon insertion and diversification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe R2 sequence discovery, phylogeny, and annotation.
- To evaluate the impact of sequence information on R2 protein applications.
- To advance gene addition strategies in the human genome using R2 technology.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of R2 retrotransposon sequences.
- Phylogenetic reconstruction to understand evolutionary relationships.
- Annotation of R2 sequences for functional insights.
Main Results:
- Systematic discovery and phylogenetic analysis of R2 retrotransposon sequences.
- Identification of sequences informative for retrotransposon evolution and protein applications.
- Evaluation of R2 sequence data's influence on genome engineering strategies.
Conclusions:
- Accurate R2 sequence identification and annotation are crucial for effective genome engineering.
- Understanding R2 phylogeny informs the development of novel gene addition tools.
- R2 retrotransposons offer a powerful platform for targeted gene insertion in the human genome.
Related Concept Videos
03:08LTR Retrotransposons
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...
03:18Non-LTR Retrotransposons
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...
02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
02:13Overview of Transposition and Recombination
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...
02:57DNA-only Transposons
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...
01:24Transposons
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...