This page provides an overview of DNA transposable elements (TEs), discussing their definition, classification, structural features, mechanisms of transposition, regulation, and impact on genome struc...This page provides an overview of DNA transposable elements (TEs), discussing their definition, classification, structural features, mechanisms of transposition, regulation, and impact on genome structure and evolution. TEs are capable of moving within the genome and are widespread across various species. Their discovery traces back to Barbara McClintock's work on maize.
Although the mechanism of retrotransposition is not completely understood, it is clear that at least two enzymatic activities are utilized. One is an integrase, which is an endonuclease that cleaves a...Although the mechanism of retrotransposition is not completely understood, it is clear that at least two enzymatic activities are utilized. One is an integrase, which is an endonuclease that cleaves at the site of integration to generate a staggered break. The other is RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, also called reverse transcriptase. These activities are encoded in some autonomous retrotransposons, including both LTR-retrotransposons and non-LTR-retrotransposons.
