D. Transposons 1. Self-moveable DNA sequences that were first identified by their ability to inactivate genes into which they were inserted. A few properties of transposable genetic elements a. Range in size from about 750 base pairs upwards. Each is a self-contained unit encoding one or more functions to which act mediate transposition and regulate transposition activity. Are normal constituents of most bacterial chromosomes.
Some transposons carry resistance genes to more than one antibiotic.
The E. coli ST toxin is encoded on a transposon. E. Genetics and diagnosis 1. The detection of DNA sequences encoding virulence genes can be used diagnostically a. By extraction of the DNA and detection by hybridization b.