Transposable element: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:59, 9 February 2025

Mobile genetic elements that can change their position within a genome

Transposable elements (TEs), also known as jumping genes, are sequences of DNA that can move or transpose themselves to new positions within the genome of a single cell. They are found in almost all organisms and can be classified into two main types: DNA transposons and retrotransposons.

History

The concept of transposable elements was first discovered by Barbara McClintock in the 1940s through her work on maize (corn). Her pioneering research earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983.

Types

DNA Transposons

DNA transposons move by a "cut and paste" mechanism, where the transposon is excised from one location and inserted into another. This process is facilitated by the enzyme transposase, which is encoded by the transposon itself.

Retrotransposons

Retrotransposons move by a "copy and paste" mechanism. They are first transcribed into RNA, which is then reverse-transcribed into DNA by the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This new DNA copy is then inserted into a new location in the genome.

Function and Impact

Transposable elements can have significant effects on the genome. They can cause mutations, alter the genetic code, and contribute to genetic diversity. In some cases, they can disrupt gene function or regulatory regions, leading to disease. However, they can also play a role in evolution by creating new genes or regulatory elements.

Applications

Transposable elements have been harnessed in genetic engineering and biotechnology. They are used as tools for gene delivery and mutagenesis in various organisms.

Related pages

References

McClintock, B. (1950). "The origin and behavior of mutable loci in maize." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 36(6), 344-355.
Feschotte, C., & Pritham, E. J. (2007). "DNA transposons and the evolution of eukaryotic genomes." Annual Review of Genetics, 41, 331-368.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Transposable elements''' (TEs), also known as "jumping genes," are DNA sequences that can change their position within a genome, sometimes creating or reversing mutations and altering the cell's genetic identity and genome size. [[Barbara McClintock]] discovered them during the 1940s and 1950s, for which she was awarded the 1983 [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]].
+{{Short description|Mobile genetic elements that can change their position within a genome}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Classification ==
+'''Transposable elements''' (TEs), also known as '''jumping genes''', are sequences of [[DNA]] that can move or transpose themselves to new positions within the [[genome]] of a single cell. They are found in almost all organisms and can be classified into two main types: [[DNA transposons]] and [[retrotransposons]].
-Transposable elements make up a large fraction of the genome and are often considered [[junk DNA]]. They are classified into two main types: Class I TEs or retrotransposons, which are usually copied in RNA and then transcribed back into DNA by reverse transcriptase, and Class II TEs or DNA transposons, which are directly transposed by "cut and paste" or "copy and paste" mechanisms.
-== Mechanism ==
+==History==
-The mechanism of transposition includes the excision of the TE from the original site and its reinsertion into a new location. This process can lead to the duplication of the same TE in the genome. The movement of TEs is a driving force of genome evolution as it can cause mutations and change the amount of DNA in the genome.
+The concept of transposable elements was first discovered by [[Barbara McClintock]] in the 1940s through her work on [[maize]] (corn). Her pioneering research earned her the [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] in 1983.
-== Impact on Genome ==
+==Types==
-Transposable elements can have profound effects on the genome. They can cause mutations when they insert themselves into genes, disrupting the gene's function. They can also cause DNA rearrangements, leading to changes in the number and location of genes.
-== See also ==
+===DNA Transposons===
-* [[Genetic recombination]]
+[[File:DNA Transposon.png|thumb|right|Diagram of a DNA transposon.]]
-* [[Genetic variation]]
+DNA transposons move by a "cut and paste" mechanism, where the transposon is excised from one location and inserted into another. This process is facilitated by the enzyme [[transposase]], which is encoded by the transposon itself.
-* [[Mobile genetic elements]]
-* [[Molecular evolution]]
-== References ==
+===Retrotransposons===
-<references />
+Retrotransposons move by a "copy and paste" mechanism. They are first transcribed into [[RNA]], which is then reverse-transcribed into DNA by the enzyme [[reverse transcriptase]]. This new DNA copy is then inserted into a new location in the genome.
+==Function and Impact==
+Transposable elements can have significant effects on the genome. They can cause [[mutations]], alter the [[genetic code]], and contribute to [[genetic diversity]]. In some cases, they can disrupt gene function or regulatory regions, leading to [[disease]]. However, they can also play a role in [[evolution]] by creating new genes or regulatory elements.
+==Applications==
+Transposable elements have been harnessed in [[genetic engineering]] and [[biotechnology]]. They are used as tools for [[gene delivery]] and [[mutagenesis]] in various organisms.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Gene]]
+* [[Genome]]
+* [[Mutation]]
+* [[Genetic engineering]]
+==References==
+* McClintock, B. (1950). "The origin and behavior of mutable loci in maize." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 36(6), 344-355.
+* Feschotte, C., & Pritham, E. J. (2007). "DNA transposons and the evolution of eukaryotic genomes." Annual Review of Genetics, 41, 331-368.
 [[Category:Genetics]]
+[[Category:Molecular biology]]
 [[Category:Mobile genetic elements]]
-[[Category:DNA]]
-[[Category:Evolutionary biology]]
-{{stub}}