TRANSPOSONS EXPLAINED (1 Minute Explanation)

Published: 28 January 2023
on channel: Lucas Learns
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A transposable Element or transposon, is a nucleic acid sequence in DNA that can change its position within a genome. For this reason they are sometimes called jumping genes. This can sometimes result in the creation or reversing of mutations as well as altering the cell’s genetic identity and genome size. Transposons can be found in almost all organisms.

There are 2 main classes of transposons. Class 1, also known as retrotransposons is first copied in an RNA intermediate through transcription. Then that RNA is copied back into DNA using reverse transcription. The DNA is then inserted back into the genome, making this a sort of DNA copy-paste.

Class 2 on the other hand has no RNA intermediate and the element remains in DNA form throughout the process of transposition. An enzyme called transposase recognizes the DNA sequences at the 3 prime and 5 prime ends of the transposon and will cut the transposon out of the DNA and reinsert it somewhere else, making this a DNA cut-and-paste.


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