Transposable element

A DNA sequence that can move to new locations within a genome, sometimes copying itself during the process. Its movement can alter gene function and genome structure.

DNA transposon: A transposable element that moves as DNA, usually through a cut-and-paste mechanism. It exemplifies movement without an RNA intermediate.
Genome: The complete set of genetic material in an organism or virus. Transposable elements are defined by their movement within this larger DNA collection.
Insertional mutagenesis: The disruption of gene function by inserting DNA into a gene or its regulatory region. Transposable elements can generate insertions that reveal what affected genes do.
Genome size: The total amount of DNA in a haploid genome or other defined genome complement. Repeated copying of elements can account for substantial differences in genome size.
Retrotransposon: A transposable element that is transcribed into RNA and copied back into DNA at a new genomic site. Its copy-and-paste cycle lets element numbers increase.
Gene: A DNA sequence that produces a functional RNA or contributes to a protein product. Unlike genes defined by their products, elements are distinguished by their capacity for movement.
Transposon tagging: A method that uses a transposon insertion to identify or isolate a disrupted gene. The inserted element supplies a recognizable DNA marker beside the mutation.
Chromosomal rearrangement: A structural change in a chromosome, such as an inversion, deletion, or translocation. Recombination between repeated element copies can generate these changes.
Transposase: An enzyme that recognizes transposon ends and catalyzes their movement to new DNA sites. Many DNA transposons encode this enzyme to excise and insert themselves.
Recombination: The exchange or rearrangement of DNA segments between molecules or within a chromosome. It can rearrange element-containing DNA without the element's own movement machinery.

Linked from 8 pages