Chapter 15
Transposons
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Insertion sequences are simple transposition modules
15.3 Composite transposons have IS modules
15.4 Transposition occurs by both replicative and nonreplicative
mechanisms
15.5 Transposons cause rearrangement of DNA
15.6 Common intermediates for transposition
15.7 Replicative transposition proceeds through a cointegrate
15.8 Nonreplicative transposition proceeds by breakage and reunion
15.9 TnA transposition requires transposase and resolvase
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
15.11 Controlling elements in maize cause breakage and rearrangements
15.12 Controlling elements form families of transposons
15.13 Spm elements influence gene expression
15.15 P elements are activated in the germline
Transposon is a DNA sequence
able to insert itself at a new
location in the genome (without
any sequence relationship with
the target locus).
15.1 Introduction
Transposon is a DNA sequence
able to insert itself at a new
location in the genome (without
any sequence relationship with
the target locus).
15.1 Introduction
Direct repeats are identical (or related) sequences
present in two or more copies in the same orientation in
the same molecule of DNA; they are not necessarily
adjacent.
Inverted terminal repeats are the short related or
identical sequences present in reverse orientation at the
ends of some transposons.
IS is an abbreviation for insertion sequence
Transposase is the enzyme activity involved in
insertion of transposon at a new site.
15.2 Insertion sequences are
simple transposition modules
Figure 15.1 Transposons
have inverted terminal
repeats and generate direct
repeats of flanking DNA at
the target site,In this
example,the target is a 5 bp
sequence,The ends of the
transposon consist of
inverted repeats of 9 bp,
where the numbers 1
through 9 indicate a
sequence of base pairs.
15.2 Insertion sequences
are simple transposition
modules
Figure 15.2 A composite
transposon has a central region
carrying markers (such as drug
resistance) flanked by IS
modules,The modules have
short inverted terminal repeats,
If the modules themselves are
in inverted orientation (as
drawn),the short inverted
terminal repeats at the ends of
the transposon are identical.
15.3 Composite
transposons have IS
modules
Figure 15.3 Two IS10
modules create a
composite transposon that
can mobilize any region
of DNA that lies between
them,When Tn10 is part
of a small circular
molecule,the IS10
repeats can transpose
either side of the circle.
15.3 Composite
transposons have IS
modules
Conservative transposition refers to the movement of large elements,
originally classified as transposons,but now considered to be episomes,
The mechanism of movement resembles that of phage lambda.
Nonreplicative transposition describes the movement of a transposon that
leaves a donor site (usually generating a double-strand break) and moves
to a new site.
Replicative transposition describes the movement of a transposon by a
mechanism in which first it is replicated,and then one copy is transferred
to a new site.
Resolvase is enzyme activity involved in site-specific recombination
between two transposons present as direct repeats in a cointegrate structure.
Transposase is the enzyme activity involved in insertion of transposon at a
new site.
15.4 Transposition occurs by both
replicative and nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.4 The direct
repeats of target DNA
flanking a transposon
are generated by the
introduction of
staggered cuts whose
protruding ends are
linked to the
transposon.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.5 Replicative transposition creates a
copy of the transposon,which inserts at a
recipient site,The donor site remains
unchanged,so both donor and recipient have a
copy of the transposon.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition
allows a transposon to move as a physical
entity from a donor to a recipient site,This
leaves a break at the donor site,which is lethal
unless it can be repaired.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.7 Conservative transposition
involves direct movement with no loss of
nucleotide bonds; compare with lambda
integration and excision.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Deletions are generated by removal
of a sequence of DNA,the regions
on either side being joined together.
15.5 Transposons cause rearrangement of DNA
Figure 15.8 Reciprocal
recombination
between direct repeats
excises the material
between them; each
product of
recombination has one
copy of the direct
repeat.
15.5 Transposons cause
rearrangement of DNA
Figure 15.9 Reciprocal
recombination
between inverted
repeats inverts the
region between them.
15.5 Transposons cause
rearrangement of DNA
Figure 15.10
Transposition is
initiated by nicking the
transposon ends and
target site and joining
the nicked ends into a
strand transfer
complex.
15.6 Common
intermediates for
transposition
Figure 15.11 Mu transposition
passes through three stable
stages,MuA transposase forms
a tetramer that synapses the
ends of phage Mu,Transposase
subunits act in trans to nick
each end of the DNA; then a
second trans action joins the
nicked ends to the target DNA.
15.6 Common
intermediates for
transposition
Resolvase is enzyme activity
involved in site-specific
recombination between two
transposons present as direct
repeats in a cointegrate structure.
15.7 Replicative transposition proceeds
through a cointegrate
Figure 15.12 Transposition
may fuse a donor and
recipient replicon into a
cointegrate,Resolution
releases two replicons,
each containing a copy of
the transposon.
15.7 Replicative
transposition
proceeds through
a cointegrate
Figure 15.13 Mu
transposition generates
a crossover structure,
which is converted by
replication into a
cointegrate.
15.7 Replicative
transposition
proceeds through
a cointegrate
Figure 15.14 Nonreplicative
transposition results when a
crossover structure is
released by nicking,This
inserts the transposon into
the target DNA,flanked by
the direct repeats of the
target,and the donor is left
with a double-strand break.
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition
allows a transposon to move as a physical
entity from a donor to a recipient site,This
leaves a break at the donor site,which is lethal
unless it can be repaired.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.15 Both
strands of Tn10 are
cleaved sequentially,
and then the
transposon is joined to
the nicked target site.
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.13 Mu
transposition generates
a crossover structure,
which is converted by
replication into a
cointegrate.
15.7 Replicative
transposition
proceeds through
a cointegrate
Figure 15.16
Cleavage of Tn5
from flanking DNA
involves nicking,
interstrand reaction,
and hairpin cleavage.
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.17 Each subunit
of the Tn5 transposase has
one end of the transposon
located in its active site
and also makes contact at
a different site with the
other end of the
transposon,
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.18
Transposons of the
TnA family have
inverted terminal
repeats,an internal res
site,and three known
genes.
15.9 TnA
transposition
requires transposase
and resolvase
Figure 15.18
Transposons of the
TnA family have
inverted terminal
repeats,an internal res
site,and three known
genes.
15.9 TnA
transposition
requires transposase
and resolvase
Figure 15.19 Two promoters
in opposite orientation lie near
the outside boundary of IS10R,
The strong promoter POUT
sponsors transcription toward
the flanking host DNA,The
weaker promoter PIN causes
transcription of an RNA that
extends the length of IS10R
and is translated into the
transposase.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple
controls
Figure 15.20 Several
mechanisms restrain the
frequency of Tn10 transposition,
by affecting either the synthesis
or function of transposase
protein,Transposition of an
individual transposon is
restricted by methylation to
occur only after replication,In
multicopy situations,cis-
preference restricts the choice of
target,and OUT/IN RNA
pairing inhibits synthesis of
transposase.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition allows a transposon to move
as a physical entity from a donor to a recipient site,This leaves a break
at the donor site,which is lethal unless it can be repaired.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
Acentric fragment of a chromosome (generated by breakage) lacks a
centromere and is lost at cell division.
Controlling elements of maize are transposable units originally
identified solely by their genetic properties,They may be autonomous
(able to transpose independently) or nonautonomous (able to transpose
only in the presence of an autonomous element).
Dicentric chromosome is the product of fusing two chromosome
fragments,each of which has a centromere,It is unstable and may be
broken when the two centromeres are pulled to opposite poles in
mitosis.
Variegation of phenotype is produced by a change in genotype during
somatic development.
15.11 Controlling elements in maize
cause breakage and rearrangements
Figure 15.21 Clonal analysis
identifies a group of cells descended
from a single ancestor in which a
transposition- mediated event altered
the phenotype,Timing of the event
during development is indicated by
the number of cells; tissue specificity
of the event may be indicated by the
location of the cells.
15.11 Controlling elements
in maize cause breakage
and rearrangements
Figure 15.22 A break at a
controlling element causes loss
of an acentric fragment; if the
fragment carries the dominant
markers of a heterozygote,its
loss changes the phenotype,
The effects of the dominant
markers,CI,Bz,Wx,can be
visualized by the color of the
cells or by appropriate staining.
15.11 Controlling elements in maize cause
breakage and rearrangements
Figure 15.23 Ds provides a site
to initiate the chromatid fusion-
bridge-breakage cycle,The
products can be followed by
clonal analysis.
15.11 Controlling elements in
maize cause breakage and
rearrangements
Figure 15.24 Each controlling
element family has both
autonomous and nonautonomous
members,Autonomous elements
are capable of transposition,
Nonautonomous elements are
deficient in transposition,Pairs of
autonomous and nonautonomous
elements can be classified in >4
families.
15.12 Controlling elements in maize
form families of transposons
Figure 15.25 The Ac
element has two open
reading frames; Ds
elements have internal
deletions.
15.12 Controlling elements in maize
form families of transposons
Figure 15.22 A break at a
controlling element causes
loss of an acentric fragment;
if the fragment carries the
dominant markers of a
heterozygote,its loss
changes the phenotype,The
effects of the dominant
markers,CI,Bz,Wx,can be
visualized by the color of the
cells or by appropriate
staining.
15.12 Controlling elements in maize
form families of transposons
Figure 15.26 Spm/En
has two genes,tnpA
consists of 11 exons
that are transcribed into
a spliced 2500 base
mRNA,tnpB may
consist of a 6000 base
mRNA containing
ORF1 + ORF2.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Hybrid dysgenesis describes the inability of
certain strains of D,melanogaster to interbreed,
because the hybrids are sterile (although
otherwise they may be phenotypically normal).
15.14 The role of
transposable elements in
hybrid dysgenesis
Figure 15.27 Hybrid
dysgenesis is
asymmetrical; it is
induced by P male x
M female crosses,
but not by M male x
P female crosses.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Figure 15.28 The P
element has four exons,
The first three are
spliced together in
somatic expression; all
four are spliced together
in germline expression.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition allows a transposon to move
as a physical entity from a donor to a recipient site,This leaves a break
at the donor site,which is lethal unless it can be repaired.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
Figure 15.29 Hybrid
dysgenesis is
determined by the
interactions between P
elements in the
genome and 66 kD
repressor in the
cytotype.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Summary
Summary
Transposons
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Insertion sequences are simple transposition modules
15.3 Composite transposons have IS modules
15.4 Transposition occurs by both replicative and nonreplicative
mechanisms
15.5 Transposons cause rearrangement of DNA
15.6 Common intermediates for transposition
15.7 Replicative transposition proceeds through a cointegrate
15.8 Nonreplicative transposition proceeds by breakage and reunion
15.9 TnA transposition requires transposase and resolvase
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
15.11 Controlling elements in maize cause breakage and rearrangements
15.12 Controlling elements form families of transposons
15.13 Spm elements influence gene expression
15.15 P elements are activated in the germline
Transposon is a DNA sequence
able to insert itself at a new
location in the genome (without
any sequence relationship with
the target locus).
15.1 Introduction
Transposon is a DNA sequence
able to insert itself at a new
location in the genome (without
any sequence relationship with
the target locus).
15.1 Introduction
Direct repeats are identical (or related) sequences
present in two or more copies in the same orientation in
the same molecule of DNA; they are not necessarily
adjacent.
Inverted terminal repeats are the short related or
identical sequences present in reverse orientation at the
ends of some transposons.
IS is an abbreviation for insertion sequence
Transposase is the enzyme activity involved in
insertion of transposon at a new site.
15.2 Insertion sequences are
simple transposition modules
Figure 15.1 Transposons
have inverted terminal
repeats and generate direct
repeats of flanking DNA at
the target site,In this
example,the target is a 5 bp
sequence,The ends of the
transposon consist of
inverted repeats of 9 bp,
where the numbers 1
through 9 indicate a
sequence of base pairs.
15.2 Insertion sequences
are simple transposition
modules
Figure 15.2 A composite
transposon has a central region
carrying markers (such as drug
resistance) flanked by IS
modules,The modules have
short inverted terminal repeats,
If the modules themselves are
in inverted orientation (as
drawn),the short inverted
terminal repeats at the ends of
the transposon are identical.
15.3 Composite
transposons have IS
modules
Figure 15.3 Two IS10
modules create a
composite transposon that
can mobilize any region
of DNA that lies between
them,When Tn10 is part
of a small circular
molecule,the IS10
repeats can transpose
either side of the circle.
15.3 Composite
transposons have IS
modules
Conservative transposition refers to the movement of large elements,
originally classified as transposons,but now considered to be episomes,
The mechanism of movement resembles that of phage lambda.
Nonreplicative transposition describes the movement of a transposon that
leaves a donor site (usually generating a double-strand break) and moves
to a new site.
Replicative transposition describes the movement of a transposon by a
mechanism in which first it is replicated,and then one copy is transferred
to a new site.
Resolvase is enzyme activity involved in site-specific recombination
between two transposons present as direct repeats in a cointegrate structure.
Transposase is the enzyme activity involved in insertion of transposon at a
new site.
15.4 Transposition occurs by both
replicative and nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.4 The direct
repeats of target DNA
flanking a transposon
are generated by the
introduction of
staggered cuts whose
protruding ends are
linked to the
transposon.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.5 Replicative transposition creates a
copy of the transposon,which inserts at a
recipient site,The donor site remains
unchanged,so both donor and recipient have a
copy of the transposon.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition
allows a transposon to move as a physical
entity from a donor to a recipient site,This
leaves a break at the donor site,which is lethal
unless it can be repaired.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.7 Conservative transposition
involves direct movement with no loss of
nucleotide bonds; compare with lambda
integration and excision.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Deletions are generated by removal
of a sequence of DNA,the regions
on either side being joined together.
15.5 Transposons cause rearrangement of DNA
Figure 15.8 Reciprocal
recombination
between direct repeats
excises the material
between them; each
product of
recombination has one
copy of the direct
repeat.
15.5 Transposons cause
rearrangement of DNA
Figure 15.9 Reciprocal
recombination
between inverted
repeats inverts the
region between them.
15.5 Transposons cause
rearrangement of DNA
Figure 15.10
Transposition is
initiated by nicking the
transposon ends and
target site and joining
the nicked ends into a
strand transfer
complex.
15.6 Common
intermediates for
transposition
Figure 15.11 Mu transposition
passes through three stable
stages,MuA transposase forms
a tetramer that synapses the
ends of phage Mu,Transposase
subunits act in trans to nick
each end of the DNA; then a
second trans action joins the
nicked ends to the target DNA.
15.6 Common
intermediates for
transposition
Resolvase is enzyme activity
involved in site-specific
recombination between two
transposons present as direct
repeats in a cointegrate structure.
15.7 Replicative transposition proceeds
through a cointegrate
Figure 15.12 Transposition
may fuse a donor and
recipient replicon into a
cointegrate,Resolution
releases two replicons,
each containing a copy of
the transposon.
15.7 Replicative
transposition
proceeds through
a cointegrate
Figure 15.13 Mu
transposition generates
a crossover structure,
which is converted by
replication into a
cointegrate.
15.7 Replicative
transposition
proceeds through
a cointegrate
Figure 15.14 Nonreplicative
transposition results when a
crossover structure is
released by nicking,This
inserts the transposon into
the target DNA,flanked by
the direct repeats of the
target,and the donor is left
with a double-strand break.
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition
allows a transposon to move as a physical
entity from a donor to a recipient site,This
leaves a break at the donor site,which is lethal
unless it can be repaired.
15.4 Transposition occurs by
both replicative and
nonreplicative mechanisms
Figure 15.15 Both
strands of Tn10 are
cleaved sequentially,
and then the
transposon is joined to
the nicked target site.
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.13 Mu
transposition generates
a crossover structure,
which is converted by
replication into a
cointegrate.
15.7 Replicative
transposition
proceeds through
a cointegrate
Figure 15.16
Cleavage of Tn5
from flanking DNA
involves nicking,
interstrand reaction,
and hairpin cleavage.
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.17 Each subunit
of the Tn5 transposase has
one end of the transposon
located in its active site
and also makes contact at
a different site with the
other end of the
transposon,
15.8 Nonreplicative
transposition
proceeds by
breakage and
reunion
Figure 15.18
Transposons of the
TnA family have
inverted terminal
repeats,an internal res
site,and three known
genes.
15.9 TnA
transposition
requires transposase
and resolvase
Figure 15.18
Transposons of the
TnA family have
inverted terminal
repeats,an internal res
site,and three known
genes.
15.9 TnA
transposition
requires transposase
and resolvase
Figure 15.19 Two promoters
in opposite orientation lie near
the outside boundary of IS10R,
The strong promoter POUT
sponsors transcription toward
the flanking host DNA,The
weaker promoter PIN causes
transcription of an RNA that
extends the length of IS10R
and is translated into the
transposase.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple
controls
Figure 15.20 Several
mechanisms restrain the
frequency of Tn10 transposition,
by affecting either the synthesis
or function of transposase
protein,Transposition of an
individual transposon is
restricted by methylation to
occur only after replication,In
multicopy situations,cis-
preference restricts the choice of
target,and OUT/IN RNA
pairing inhibits synthesis of
transposase.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition allows a transposon to move
as a physical entity from a donor to a recipient site,This leaves a break
at the donor site,which is lethal unless it can be repaired.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
Acentric fragment of a chromosome (generated by breakage) lacks a
centromere and is lost at cell division.
Controlling elements of maize are transposable units originally
identified solely by their genetic properties,They may be autonomous
(able to transpose independently) or nonautonomous (able to transpose
only in the presence of an autonomous element).
Dicentric chromosome is the product of fusing two chromosome
fragments,each of which has a centromere,It is unstable and may be
broken when the two centromeres are pulled to opposite poles in
mitosis.
Variegation of phenotype is produced by a change in genotype during
somatic development.
15.11 Controlling elements in maize
cause breakage and rearrangements
Figure 15.21 Clonal analysis
identifies a group of cells descended
from a single ancestor in which a
transposition- mediated event altered
the phenotype,Timing of the event
during development is indicated by
the number of cells; tissue specificity
of the event may be indicated by the
location of the cells.
15.11 Controlling elements
in maize cause breakage
and rearrangements
Figure 15.22 A break at a
controlling element causes loss
of an acentric fragment; if the
fragment carries the dominant
markers of a heterozygote,its
loss changes the phenotype,
The effects of the dominant
markers,CI,Bz,Wx,can be
visualized by the color of the
cells or by appropriate staining.
15.11 Controlling elements in maize cause
breakage and rearrangements
Figure 15.23 Ds provides a site
to initiate the chromatid fusion-
bridge-breakage cycle,The
products can be followed by
clonal analysis.
15.11 Controlling elements in
maize cause breakage and
rearrangements
Figure 15.24 Each controlling
element family has both
autonomous and nonautonomous
members,Autonomous elements
are capable of transposition,
Nonautonomous elements are
deficient in transposition,Pairs of
autonomous and nonautonomous
elements can be classified in >4
families.
15.12 Controlling elements in maize
form families of transposons
Figure 15.25 The Ac
element has two open
reading frames; Ds
elements have internal
deletions.
15.12 Controlling elements in maize
form families of transposons
Figure 15.22 A break at a
controlling element causes
loss of an acentric fragment;
if the fragment carries the
dominant markers of a
heterozygote,its loss
changes the phenotype,The
effects of the dominant
markers,CI,Bz,Wx,can be
visualized by the color of the
cells or by appropriate
staining.
15.12 Controlling elements in maize
form families of transposons
Figure 15.26 Spm/En
has two genes,tnpA
consists of 11 exons
that are transcribed into
a spliced 2500 base
mRNA,tnpB may
consist of a 6000 base
mRNA containing
ORF1 + ORF2.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Hybrid dysgenesis describes the inability of
certain strains of D,melanogaster to interbreed,
because the hybrids are sterile (although
otherwise they may be phenotypically normal).
15.14 The role of
transposable elements in
hybrid dysgenesis
Figure 15.27 Hybrid
dysgenesis is
asymmetrical; it is
induced by P male x
M female crosses,
but not by M male x
P female crosses.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Figure 15.28 The P
element has four exons,
The first three are
spliced together in
somatic expression; all
four are spliced together
in germline expression.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Figure 15.6 Nonreplicative transposition allows a transposon to move
as a physical entity from a donor to a recipient site,This leaves a break
at the donor site,which is lethal unless it can be repaired.
15.10 Transposition of Tn10 has multiple controls
Figure 15.29 Hybrid
dysgenesis is
determined by the
interactions between P
elements in the
genome and 66 kD
repressor in the
cytotype.
15.13 Spm
elements
influence gene
expression
Summary
Summary
