![]() Transposable elements are majorforces in the evolution and rearrangement of genomes (Fig. Some transposable elements move in a replicative manner, whereasothers are nonreplicative, i.e.they move without making a copy of themselves. Much of the mechanism of transpositionis distinctive for these two classes, but all transposable elements effectivelyinsert at staggered breaks in chromosomes. Some move by DNAintermediates, and others move by RNA intermediates. Beyond the common property of mobility,transposable elements show considerable diversity. they are genetic elements that can move fromone position to another in the genome. The defining property of transposableelements is their mobility i.e. Properties and effects of transposable elements However, this ability to move is aunique property of transposable elements, and warrants treatment by itself. The process of moving from one place toanother involves a type of recombination, insertions of transposable elementscan cause mutations, and some transpositions are replicative, generating a newcopy while leaving the old copy intact. Transposition is related toreplication, recombination and repair. They do have important effects on genes and theirphenotypes, and they are the subject of intense investigation. It is not even clear whether transposable elementsshould be considered an integral part of a species’ genome, or if they aresuccessful parasites. Given their prevalencein genomes, the function (if any) of transposable elements has been muchdiscussed but is little understood. Since viruses move between individuals,at least some transposable elements can move between genomes (betweenindividuals) as well as within an individual’s genome. Indeed, some viruses may be derived from naturaltransposable elements and vice versa. We now realize that some transposable elements are alsoviruses, for instance, some retroviruses can integrate into a host genome toform endogenous retroviruses. In fact, transposableelements (both active and inactive) occupy approximately half the human genomeand a substantially greater fraction of some plant genomes! These movableelements are ubiquitous in the biosphere, and are highly successful inpropagating themselves. Transposable elements wereformerly thought to be found only in a few species, but now they are recognizedas components of the genomes of virtually all species. Segments of DNA with this ability to move are called transposableelements. Thefinal method of changing the DNA in a genome that we will consider is transposition, which is the movement of DNA from one location toanother.
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