Retrotransposons

Retrotransposons (pronounced: reh-troh-trans-poh-zohns) are genetic elements that can amplify themselves in a genome and are ubiquitous components of the DNA of many eukaryotic organisms.

Etymology

The term "Retrotransposons" is derived from the Latin retro meaning "backward" and transposon which is a portmanteau of "transposable element".

Definition

Retrotransposons are a type of transposon that can move within the genome by being transcribed into RNA, then reverse transcribed into DNA, which is then inserted at a new site in the genome. This process is called retrotransposition.

Types

There are two main types of retrotransposons: Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) retrotransposons and Non-Long Terminal Repeat (Non-LTR) retrotransposons. LTR retrotransposons are similar in structure and lifecycle to retroviruses, but they do not leave the cell and infect others. Non-LTR retrotransposons include Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINEs) and Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements (SINEs).

Function

Retrotransposons can have a variety of effects on the genome. They can cause mutations when they insert themselves into genes, and they can also cause recombination events that can lead to gene duplication or deletion. However, they can also have beneficial effects, such as increasing genetic diversity and driving evolution.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Retrotransposons
Wikipedia's article - Retrotransposons

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Retrotransposons