page_title: DNA transposon
section_title: Effects of transposons
hierarchical_section_title: DNA transposon / Effects of transposons
caption_attribution_description: English: Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), Department of Genetics, Carnegie Institution at Cold Spring Harbor, New York, shown in her laboratory. This photograph was distributed when McClintock received the American Association of University Women Achievement Award in 1947 for her work on cytogenetics. (From http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_arc_306310) Español: Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), del Departamento de Genética de la Carnegie Institution en Cold Spring Harbor, Nueva York, en su laboratorio. Esta fotografía fue distribuida cuando McClintock recibió la "American Association of University Women Achievement Award" en 1947 por su trabajo en la citogenética. Polski: Barbara McClintock w swoim laboratorium w Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
context_page_description: DNA transposons are DNA sequences, sometimes referred to "jumping genes", that can move and integrate to different locations within the genome. They are class II transposable elements that move through a DNA intermediate, as opposed to class I TEs, retrotransposons, that move through an RNA intermediate. DNA transposons can move in the DNA of an organism via a single-or double-stranded DNA intermediate. DNA transposons have been found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. They can make up a significant portion of an organism's genome, particularly in eukaryotes. In prokaryotes, TE's can facilitate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance or other genes associated with virulence. After replicating and propagating in a host, all transposon copies become inactivated and are lost unless the transposon passes to a genome by starting a new life cycle with horizontal transfer. It is important to note that DNA transposons do not randomly insert themselves into the genome, but rather show preference for specific sites.
  With regard to movement, DNA transposons can be categorized as autonomous and nonautonomous.
context_section_description: DNA transposons, like all transposons, are quite impactful with respect to gene expression. A sequence of DNA may insert itself into a previously functional gene and create a mutation. This can happen in three distinct ways: 1. alteration of function, 2. chromosomal rearrangement, and 3. a source of novel genetic material. Since DNA transposons may happen to take parts of genomic sequences with them, exon shuffling may occur. Exon shuffling is the creation of novel gene products due to the new placement of two previously unrelated exons through transposition. Because of their ability to alter DNA expression, transposons have become an important target of research in genetic engineering.
caption: Barbara McClintock was the first to discover the existence of DNA transposons in maize plants at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983.
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